As an important driving force for rural revitalization, digital finance can effectively enhance the efficiency and quality of the rural economy, improve the living conditions of farmers, and promote the comprehensive progress of rural society. This paper utilizes panel data from 281 prefecture-level cities in China over the period of 2011–2022 and employs quantitative methods such as the double fixed effects model, the mediating model, and the threshold effect model to conduct an in-depth analysis and assessment of the impact of digital finance on the rural revitalization process. Research indicates that digital finance significantly promotes rural revitalization, a conclusion that remains valid after a series of robustness tests. Digital finance indirectly empowers rural revitalization by leveraging technological innovation and enhancing capital allocation efficiency. Its impact on rural revitalization exhibits a dual threshold effect across different levels of economic development. The impact of digital finance on rural revitalization exhibits regional heterogeneity, with its promotional effect being particularly pronounced in eastern regions. Accordingly, future efforts should focus on accelerating the development of digital finance, enhancing technological innovation, optimizing capital allocation efficiency in rural areas, and implementing differentiated economic development strategies to foster deeper integration between digital finance and rural revitalization.
Zhou et al. (Wed,) studied this question.