Empirical analysis shows that working-age population positively affects economic growth in China, highlighting the mediating role of industrial structure upgrading.
Key Points
The working-age population ratio significantly enhances economic development in China, as shown by a positive effect on GDP growth.
Results indicate industrial structure upgrading fully mediates the relationship between the working-age population and GDP growth, rendering the initial effect insignificant.
Threshold regression analysis reveals that industrial upgrading enhances the impact of the working-age population on GDP when above a critical level.
Policy recommendations emphasize technological innovation and human capital investment to optimize the benefits from the working-age population.