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Public Services Equalization in Urbanizing China: Indicators, Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Implications on Regional Economic Disparities

Author

Listed:
  • Zekun Li

    (Wuhan University)

  • Shenjing He

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Shiliang Su

    (Wuhan University)

  • Guie Li

    (Wuhan University)

  • Fei Chen

    (Guangzhou Urban Planning and Design Survey Research Institute)

Abstract

Public services equalization is closely related to local economic and social development. Hence, it is crucial to explore the changing dynamics of public services equalization and its correlation with regional economic disparities. We first examine the changing spatiotemporal patterns of public services provision and local economic performance at the provincial level across China from 2003 to 2017, using a set of indicators and the Mann–Kendall test. It is found that different types of public services are divergent in both temporal trend and geographical locations. However, both income and expenditure have been significantly increased for all provinces during the study period. Second, we unravel the heterogeneous relationship between public services provision and local economy across time and space using the geographically and temporally weighted regression. Variance decomposition is further employed to quantify the relative contribution of public services provision to local economy. Results show that the impact of different types of public services on local economic system is divergent, which jointly affects local economy system together with political and other economic factors. Thirdly, we use the Theil index and traditional least square regression to further examine the relationships between public services equalization and regional economic disparities. We find that public services equalization is correlated with regional economic disparities at the national level, yet their interrelation varies significantly in different regions. Taken together, through revisiting the role of public services equalization in regional economic disparities and unpacking its geographical and temporal heterogeneity, this study fills salient research gaps and informs policymaking towards a long-term goal of social equalization.

Suggested Citation

  • Zekun Li & Shenjing He & Shiliang Su & Guie Li & Fei Chen, 2020. "Public Services Equalization in Urbanizing China: Indicators, Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Implications on Regional Economic Disparities," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 152(1), pages 1-65, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:152:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-020-02405-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-020-02405-9
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    3. Ding, Guoxuan & Kang, Nier, 2024. "The impact of digital financial inclusion on China's regional disparities in the quality of economic development: Based on the relational data paradigm," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 629-651.
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    7. Ningyi Liu & Yongyu Wang & Sisi Liu, 2024. "Spatial Evolution and Driving Factors of Ecological Well-Being Performance in the Yellow River Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-23, July.
    8. Shi, Jiangang & Dai, Xingying & Duan, Kaifeng & Li, Jiajia, 2023. "Exploring the performances and determinants of public service provision in 35 major cities in China from the perspectives of efficiency and effectiveness," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    9. Xiaomei Li & Jing Zhu & Jiangjun Wan & Ziming Wang, 2024. "Equilibrium in adversity: balancing public service supply and demand during population decline," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    10. Chen, Yongyu & Peng, Zihao & Peng, Caodie & Xu, Wanli, 2023. "Impact of new government–business relations on urban digital economy: Empirical evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PA).
    11. Fuqiang Dai & Hao Liu & Xia Zhang & Qing Li, 2022. "Does the Equalization of Public Services Effect Regional Disparities in the Ratio of Investment to Consumption? Evidence From Provincial Level in China," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440221, March.
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