IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/fininn/v11y2025i1d10.1186_s40854-024-00688-2.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

How does education promote green digital finance? Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Chien-Chiang Lee

    (Wuchang University of Technology
    City University of Macau)

  • Fuhao Wang

    (Nankai University)

  • Chi-Chuan Lee

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics
    SWUFE (Laboratory of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Ministry of Education))

Abstract

This study constructs a new composite green digital finance index and describes its development in China over the past decade. Based on province-level panel data covering the period 2011–2020, we examine how education contributes to the development of green digital finance. Through detailed theoretical analysis and rigorous empirical testing, the following results are obtained. First, education directly promotes green digital finance by adjusting people’s consciousness and enhancing their abilities. Second, high-quality educational inputs, a high level of economic development, and a high degree of opening-up are among the important preconditions for education to further promote green digital finance in China. Third, education indirectly promotes green digital finance by driving industrial upgrades, increasing income levels, promoting technological innovation, and cultivating finance-related talent. This study offers policy recommendations to help improve education levels and suggests a valuable direction for further research on green digital finance.

Suggested Citation

  • Chien-Chiang Lee & Fuhao Wang & Chi-Chuan Lee, 2025. "How does education promote green digital finance? Evidence from China," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 11(1), pages 1-29, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:fininn:v:11:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s40854-024-00688-2
    DOI: 10.1186/s40854-024-00688-2
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s40854-024-00688-2
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s40854-024-00688-2?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pengpeng Yue & Aslihan Gizem Korkmaz & Zhichao Yin & Haigang Zhou, 2022. "The rise of digital finance: Financial inclusion or debt trap," Papers 2201.09221, arXiv.org.
    2. Kangyin Dong & Jun Zhao & Xiaohang Ren & Yukun Shi, 2023. "Environmental regulation, human capital, and pollutant emissions: the case of SO2 emissions for China," Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 111-135, January.
    3. Zhou, Guangyou & Zhu, Jieyu & Luo, Sumei, 2022. "The impact of fintech innovation on green growth in China: Mediating effect of green finance," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    4. Peng, Wei & Xiong, Langyu, 2022. "Managing financing costs and fostering green transition: The role of green financial policy in China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 820-836.
    5. Hanming Fang, 2006. "Disentangling The College Wage Premium: Estimating A Model With Endogenous Education Choices," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 47(4), pages 1151-1185, November.
    6. Gaurab Aryal & Manudeep Bhuller & Fabian Lange, 2022. "Signaling and Employer Learning with Instruments," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 112(5), pages 1669-1702, May.
    7. Hanhua Shao & Jixin Cheng & Yuansheng Wang & Xiaoming Li, 2022. "Can Digital Finance Promote Comprehensive Carbon Emission Performance? Evidence from Chinese Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-18, August.
    8. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, Fuhao, 2022. "How does digital inclusive finance affect carbon intensity?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 174-190.
    9. Nicola Persico & Andrew Postlewaite & Dan Silverman, 2004. "The Effect of Adolescent Experience on Labor Market Outcomes: The Case of Height," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 112(5), pages 1019-1053, October.
    10. Stefano Giglio & Matteo Maggiori & Johannes Stroebel & Stephen Utkus, 2021. "Five Facts about Beliefs and Portfolios," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 111(5), pages 1481-1522, May.
    11. Lee, Chi-Chuan & Song, Hepeng & Lee, Chien-Chiang, 2023. "Assessing the effect of green finance on energy inequality in China via household-level analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    12. Chad Turner & Robert Tamura & Sean Mulholland & Scott Baier, 2007. "Education and income of the states of the United States: 1840–2000," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 12(2), pages 101-158, June.
    13. Andreas Fagereng & Magne Mogstad & Marte Rønning, 2021. "Why Do Wealthy Parents Have Wealthy Children?," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 129(3), pages 703-756.
    14. Li, Yong & Zhao, Xinmeng & Wang, Bo, 2024. "Public education expenditure and corporate human capital: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    15. Hui Li & Ruining Zhang & Lingyue Zhang & Yu Qin & Hua Liao, 2023. "Energy production revolution in China during 2015–2019: progress and challenges," Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 85-109, January.
    16. Shawn Cole & Anna Paulson & Gauri Kartini Shastry, 2016. "High School Curriculum and Financial Outcomes: The Impact of Mandated Personal Finance and Mathematics Courses," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 51(3), pages 656-698.
    17. Jiandong Chen & Ping Wang & Ming Gao & Wenxuan Hou & Haiming Liao, 2022. "Carbon sequestration capacity of terrestrial vegetation in China based on satellite data," Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 109-124, January.
    18. Yue, Pengpeng & Korkmaz, Aslihan Gizem & Yin, Zhichao & Zhou, Haigang, 2022. "The rise of digital finance: Financial inclusion or debt trap?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 47(PA).
    19. Jaimovich, Esteban, 2011. "Sectoral differentiation, allocation of talent, and financial development," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 96(1), pages 47-60, September.
    20. Nicola Persico & Andrew Postlewaite & Dan Silverman, 2001. "The Effect of Adolescent Experience on Labor Market Outcomes: The Case of Height, Third Version," PIER Working Paper Archive 04-013, Penn Institute for Economic Research, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania, revised 15 Mar 2004.
    21. Eugene A. Kroch & Kriss Sjoblom, 1994. "Schooling as Human Capital or a Signal: Some Evidence," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 29(1), pages 156-180.
    22. Lee, Chi-Chuan & Song, Hepeng & An, Jiafu, 2024. "The impact of green finance on energy transition: Does climate risk matter?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    23. Lucas, Robert Jr., 1988. "On the mechanics of economic development," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 3-42, July.
    24. Amnon Frenkel & Eran Leck, 2017. "Spatial aspects of education–job matching in Israel," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(7), pages 1063-1076, July.
    25. Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad & Dong, Kangyin & Zhao, Congyu & Phoumin, Han, 2023. "Can financial and economic means accelerate renewable energy growth in the climate change era? The case of China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 730-743.
    26. Kevin Lang & Michael Manove, 2011. "Education and Labor Market Discrimination," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 101(4), pages 1467-1496, June.
    27. Wang, Dong & Wang, Ziwei & Cai, Wanhuan & Wu, Qiuxiang, 2024. "Digital inclusive finance, higher education expansion and regional carbon emissions: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PA), pages 1091-1101.
    28. Haliassos, Michael & Bertaut, Carol C, 1995. "Why Do So Few Hold Stocks?," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 105(432), pages 1110-1129, September.
    29. Romer, Paul M, 1990. "Endogenous Technological Change," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 98(5), pages 71-102, October.
    30. Ibrahim, Muazu & Sare, Yakubu Awudu, 2018. "Determinants of financial development in Africa: How robust is the interactive effect of trade openness and human capital?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 18-26.
    31. Cai, Ye & Pan, Carrie H. & Statman, Meir, 2016. "Why do countries matter so much in corporate social performance?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 591-609.
    32. Kim, Dong-Hyeon & Wu, Yi-Chen & Lin, Shu-Chin, 2019. "Education, Health, And Economic Development," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 23(2), pages 837-869, March.
    33. Jin Sheng & Yubin Gao, 2023. "Combining the financial development and stock market return for green economic recovery in selected developing economies," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(6), pages 3885-3908, December.
    34. Hao Chen & Jiadong Pan & Wen Xiao, 2020. "Chinese Outward Foreign Direct Investment and Industrial Upgrading from the Perspective of Differences among Countries," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 28(3), pages 1-28, May.
    35. Ping Zhang & Zizhou Bu & Youqiang Wang & Yilin Hou, 2016. "Education outlay, fiscal transfer, and inter-region funding equity: a county-level analysis of education finance in China," Journal of Chinese Governance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(4), pages 591-610, October.
    36. Li, Jie & Wu, Yu & Xiao, Jing Jian, 2020. "The impact of digital finance on household consumption: Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 317-326.
    37. Mangrum, Daniel, 2022. "Personal finance education mandates and student loan repayment," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 146(1), pages 1-26.
    38. Bryan C. McCannon & Jeffrey Peterson, 2015. "Born for Finance? Experimental Evidence of the Impact of Finance Education," Journal of Behavioral Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(3), pages 199-205, July.
    39. Fu, Junhui & Liu, Yufang & Chen, Rongda & Yu, Xiaojian & Tang, Wen, 2020. "Trade openness, internet finance development and banking sector development in China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 670-678.
    40. Minli Yu & Fu-Sheng Tsai & Hui Jin & Hejie Zhang, 2022. "Digital finance and renewable energy consumption: evidence from China," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 8(1), pages 1-19, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Zhang, Xiaoli & Lee, Chi-Chuan, 2024. "Does climate change matter for bank profitability? Evidence from China," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    2. Hu, Debao & Zhai, Chenzhe & Zhao, Sibo, 2023. "Does digital finance promote household consumption upgrading? An analysis based on data from the China family panel studies," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    3. Husain, Muhammad Jami, 2010. "Contribution of health to economic development: A survey and overview," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 4, pages 1-52.
    4. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Lou, Runchi & Wang, Fuhao, 2023. "Digital financial inclusion and poverty alleviation: Evidence from the sustainable development of China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 418-434.
    5. Shen, Hongshan & Qin, Mengyao & Li, Tianyi & Zhang, Xuan & Zhao, Yang, 2024. "Digital finance and industrial structure upgrading: Evidence from Chinese counties," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PB).
    6. Xu, Dandan & Guo, Dongli & Yue, Pengpeng & Li, Mengshi, 2024. "Household green consumption: Does digital inclusion matter?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    7. Zhan, Zhihao & Zhang, Anqi & Zhang, Mingxin & Zhang, Mingxin, 2024. "Unveiling the adverse selection problem in China's digital lending market: Evidence from CHFS," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).
    8. Yue, Sishi & Yang, Mo & Dong, Dayong, 2024. "Do enterprises adopting digital finance exhibit higher values? Based on textual analysis," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    9. Bibhudutta Panda, 2017. "Schooling and productivity growth: evidence from a dual growth accounting application to U.S. states," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 193-221, December.
    10. Eric A. Hanushek & Jens Ruhose & Ludger Woessmann, 2015. "Human Capital Quality and Aggregate Income Differences: Development Accounting for U.S. States," CESifo Working Paper Series 5411, CESifo.
    11. Eric A. Hanushek & Jens Ruhose & Ludger Woessmann, 2017. "Knowledge Capital and Aggregate Income Differences: Development Accounting for US States," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 9(4), pages 184-224, October.
    12. Tamura, Robert & Dwyer, Jerry & Devereux, John & Baier, Scott, 2019. "Economic growth in the long run," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 1-35.
    13. Gharsallah, Mariem & Trabelsi, Salwa, 2024. "The effect of human capital on the trade-growth nexus: A dynamic panel threshold analysis," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(4).
    14. Wang, Jianqiu & Yin, Zhichao & Jiang, Jialing, 2023. "The effect of the digital divide on household consumption in China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    15. Denis Maguain, 2007. "Les rendements de l'éducation en comparaison internationale," Économie et Prévision, Programme National Persée, vol. 180(4), pages 87-106.
    16. Lee, Chi-Chuan & Fang, Yuzhu & Quan, Shiyun & Li, Xinghao, 2024. "Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence toward the energy transition: The key role of the digital economy," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    17. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, Chih-Wei & Purnama, Muhammad Yusuf Indra & Sharma, Susan Sunila, 2024. "Digitalization and firms' debt maturity: Do financial constraints and uncertainty matter?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    18. Zhang, Jian & Wang, Dongqiang & Ji, Ming & Yu, Kuo & Qi, Mosha & Wang, Hui, 2024. "Digital literacy, relative poverty, and common prosperity for rural households," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 96(PB).
    19. Peng, Jia-Hui & Wang, Ke-Liang & Cheng, Yun-He & Miao, Zhuang, 2024. "How does digital inclusive finance affect energy justice? Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    20. Yangjie Liao & Xiaokun Zhou, 2023. "Can Digital Finance Contribute to Agricultural Carbon Reduction? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-20, November.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Green digital finance; Education; Theoretical analysis; Empirical study; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:fininn:v:11:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s40854-024-00688-2. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.