Coordinated Evolution and Influencing Factors of Population and Economy in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

The degree of population–economy coupling and coordination is an important indicator of a region’s balanced development. This study examines the evolution of the population–economy coupling coordination pattern in the Yangtze River Economic Belt spanning from 2000 to 2019. It draws from the economic growth stage and related theories, and employs methods such as geographic concentration, center of gravity analysis, and the coupling coordination model. Accordingly, the population and economy of the Yangtze River Economic Belt form a core–periphery, with a decreasing center toward the periphery, and the east higher than the west. The spatial coupling situation of the population-economic center of gravity yields an inverted U-shaped curve, where their center of gravity separates and then converges, and the difference in regional development expands and then shrinks. Moreover, the population center of gravity lags behind that of the economy. The population–economy coupling and coordination degree shows a decreasing trend after rising fluctuations. Further, the study finds that regional economic development, government role, and market-led capital agglomeration are significant drivers of the population–economy coupling and coordination, with the industrial structural influence being spatially heterogeneous.