Connecting the Countryside via E-Commerce: Evidence from China

This paper estimates the impact of first nationwide e-commerce expansion program on rural households. To do so, we combine a randomized control trial with new survey and administrative microdata. In contrast to existing case studies, find little evidence for income gains producers workers. Instead, are driven by reduction in cost living minority households that tend be younger, richer, more remote markets. These effects mainly due overcoming logistical barriers rather than additional investments adapt population. (JEL I31, L81, O12, O18, P25, P36)