Does Fintech Narrow the Gender Wage Gap? Evidence from China

Qing Guo, Siyu Chen and Xiangquan Zeng

China & World Economy, 2021, vol. 29, issue 4, 142-166

Abstract: Information and communication technology promotes the rapid development of fintech, which has a far‐reaching impact on wage distribution in China. Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey and the Index of Digital Financial Inclusion, this study examines the impact of fintech on the gender wage gap. We find that fintech (i) narrows the gender wage gap; (ii) reduces capital constraints and operating costs, thereby promoting female entrepreneurship, driving more women into employment, and enabling women to increase their wages and bargaining power within the household; and (iii) positively impacts the wages of women (and men) who have lower family economic status, and helps women (but not men) counter the risk of decline in wages caused by childbearing and caring under the two‐child policy. These findings have important policy implications and provide evidence of women's improving economic conditions leading to a reduced gender wage gap.

Date: 2021
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