Analysis of Regional Inequality from Sectoral Structure, Spatial Policy and Economic Development: A Case Study of Chongqing, China

Inequality is a large challenge to sustainable development, and achieving equity has already become one of the top goals in sustainable development of the UN’s post-2015 development agenda. Located in the western inland region of China, Chongqing is characterized by “big city, big countryside, big mountain area, big reservoir area” and its regional inequality is more serious. This paper is to explore Chongqing’s regional inequality from sectoral structure, spatial policy and economic development by constructing, decomposing, and calculating the inter-county per capita GDP Gini Coefficient. Through this study, it is mainly found that: (1) Chongqing has experienced a dynamic evolution from unbalanced development to balanced development, and its regional inequality has been decreasing steadily in recent years; (2) the Tertiary Sector gradually contributes most to regional inequality; (3) inequality between regions is the main section of regional inequality; (4) the spatial policy as per regional division of Five Function Areas is more rational than the division of the main urban and suburb areas; and (5) economic development is the best way to reduce the regional inequality. Based on the results of empirical study and the reality of Chongqing, targeted and systematic policy suggestions are proposed to reduce regional inequality and promote sustainable development.

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