To clarify the characteristics and evolutionary patterns of rural livelihood development, an evaluation index system was established based on its basic connotation. An entropy method was employed to measure the rural livelihood development levels across China’s 31 provinces from 2013 to 2023 (the data do not include those of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions. The same below). Subsequently, the Dagum Gini coefficient, kernel density estimation, Markov chains, and convergence testing models were used to examine the spatial differences, spatio-temporal evolution patterns, and convergence characteristics of China’s rural livelihood development. The findings are as follows: 1) Rural livelihood development levels exhibit a steady upward trend, forming a distribution pattern of leading in the east, catching up in the middle, lagging in the northeast and west regions. 2) The overall difference in rural livelihood development levels shows a narrowing trend, with inter-regional differences being the primary spatial source of variation. The greatest differences exist between the eastern and western regions, while the intra-regional differences are most pronounced within the eastern region. 3) Absolute disparities in China’s rural livelihood development are widening. The evolutionary trajectory and transition probability of provincial rural livelihood development levels are influenced by developmental differences in neighbouring provinces, demonstrating a regional radiation effect. 4) Significant absolute β-convergence exists in both national and eastern regional rural livelihood development levels, with notable conditional β-convergence observed nationally and across all four major regions. This study can provide data support and decision-making foundations for exploring pathways towards the high-quality development of people’s livelihood
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