Rural industrial revitalization and common prosperity: pathways to sustainable development in China’s agricultural regions

Introduction The essence of rural revitalization lies in achieving “affluent living” with common prosperity in rural areas being the focal point and challenge. As a key element of rural revitalization, industrial revitalization of rural areas plays a pivotal role in advancing common prosperity in rural communities. Methods This study is based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2013 to 2023 (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Tibet), and has constructed an indicator system for rural industrial revitalization and common prosperity. Based on this, the fixed effect model and the mediation effect model were adopted to systematically evaluate the impact of rural industrial revitalization on rural common prosperity. Through various robustness tests such as endogeneity handling, machine learning verification, and placebo test, the reliability of the research results has been ensured. Results The research results indicate that rural industrial revitalization can significantly enhance the level of rural common prosperity, and this has been fully verified through various robustness tests. Furthermore, this effect shows significant heterogeneity. The effects are stronger in the central and western regions, as well as in the areas with low urbanization rates, compared to those in the eastern regions and areas with high urbanization rates. Finally, promoting income growth and improving human capital are crucial micro mechanisms for rural industrial revitalization and the promotion of common prosperity in rural areas of our country. Discussion Science-driven rural industrial revitalization and further clarification of the realization path for enabling rural common prosperity are of great significance for achieving the goal of common prosperity. This evidence highlights the necessity of formulating region-specific strategies, especially in underdeveloped and low-urbanization areas. Rural industrial revitalization can bring the greatest marginal benefits. The research conclusions of this article provide new ideas and inspiration for effectively promoting rural industrial development and achieving common prosperity in rural areas.