Digital Financial Inclusion, Household Financial Participation and Well-Being: Micro-Evidence from China

Though financial inclusion has drawn a lot of attention lately, especially in emerging markets, it remains unclear how it affects household well-being. This study investigates the connection between digital financial inclusion (DFI) and household well-being using two databases in China. The findings suggest that DFI is positively associated with household well-being. Mechanism analysis reveals that a rise in DFI facilitates household financial participation, thereby increasing the probability of household well-being. Our further empirical analysis demonstrates that groups with lower education and income levels are more significantly affected by DFI regarding household well-being. Overall, the research provides empirical evidence for the assertion that expanding financial inclusion in the digital economy era can promote social fairness and provide a basis for a vigorous expansion of financial inclusion in emerging economies.