The Impact of Digital Economy on the Integrated Development of Urban and Rural Areas: An Analysis based on the Upgrading of Industrial Structure

Based on the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2012 to 2023, this paper empirically analyzes the impact mechanism of digital economy on urban-rural integration and development, and focuses on the intermediary role of industrial structure upgrading. The findings are as follows: (1) Digital economy has significantly promoted the development of urban-rural integration, and this effect is more prominent in eastern China; (2) Mechanism analysis shows that digital economy indirectly Narrows the gap between urban and rural areas and promotes the integrated development of urban and rural areas by promoting the upgrading of industrial structure; (3) In the robustness test, the measurement method of replacing core variables and shortening sample time range is adopted, and the conclusion is still valid.The research in this paper provides important enlightenment for policy makers, and suggests to realize the coordinated development of urban and rural areas by optimizing the structure of digital industry.