Path Identification for Improving Public Service Satisfaction of Urban and Rural Residents: Evidence from China

Improving the basic public service system and enhancing public service satisfaction are critical to achieving coordinated urban-rural development. Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), this study applies ordered logistic regression and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to systematically investigate the enhancement paths of public service satisfaction among urban and rural residents across three dimensions: citizen characteristics, social perception, and government supply. The findings indicate that, except for educational attainment, other factors exhibit varying relationships with public service satisfaction in urban and rural areas. The improvement of public service satisfaction among urban residents can be accomplished through five paths: the “Resource Adequacy - Resource Balance” dual-core driven type, the “Class Identification - Resource Adequacy” driven type, the “Trust - Well-being - Resource Balance” leading type, the “Economy - Trust - Resource Balance” leading type, and the “Economy - Resource Adequacy” leading type. Rural residents’ satisfaction improves through three paths: the “Resource Adequacy - Resource Balance” leading type, the “Class Identification - Resource Adequacy” leading type, and the “Economy” leading type. While the enhancement paths differ between urban and rural residents, the shared aspect is the central role played by government supply efficiency. Strengthening public service facilities and infrastructure and enhancing the supply level of public services hold substantial practical implications for the planning and layout of public service facilities, industrial development, and infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.