Study On The Impact Of The Establishment Of The Free Trade Zone On Human Capital

he study of economic growth has always been a focal point for scholars.However,with the advent of the new normal in economic development,certain issues have arisen,such as insufficient endogenous growth impetus,thereby affecting the quality of economic growth.The driving force behind economic growth lies in technological innovation,which requires the support of human capital,representing abilities,knowledge,and technology.The accumulation of human capital in a city will undoubtedly drive regional innovation,thereby promoting economic growth.Free trade zones are an important measure for deepening internal and external reforms,differing from the functions performed by various development zones in the past.Furthermore,institutional innovation in human resources plays a crucial role in the construction of China’s free trade zones,serving as a fundamental guarantee for enhancing international competitiveness and achieving high-quality development in the free trade zones themselves.Therefore,it is necessary to comprehensively clarify and grasp the pathways through which the pilot free trade zones affect the level of regional human capital,in order to propose policy recommendations for the accumulation of human capital and subsequently promote regional economic growth,enhancing China’s international competitiveness in the world.I initially analyze the pathways through which the establishment of free trade zones affects the level of human capital.According to relevant literature,free trade zones impact human capital through the upgrading of industrial structure,mechanisms of technology spillover effects,and cultural shocks.After theoretical analysis,this study has a reasonable theoretical foundation and significance.Next,empirical tests will be conducted using descriptive statistical analysis,the PSM-DID model,and the causal forest algorithm.First,descriptive statistical analysis reveals that the level of human capital in the treatment group is significantly higher than in the control group.Subsequently,the PSM-DID model is employed to verify that the establishment of free trade zones can promote the improvement of regional human capital levels,but this promotion effect has a lag.Furthermore,the causal forest algorithm is used to study regional heterogeneity.From a national perspective,regardless of using provincial clustering algorithms or non-clustering ones,the results indicate that free trade zones can promote regional human capital levels,with policy treatment effect values of 0.065 and 0.046,respectively.Dividing regions into eastern,central,and western regions,the results show that the policy treatment effect values obtained through provincial clustering are 0.036,0.09,and 0.140,respectively.Using the non-clustering algorithm,the values are 0.138,0.211,and 2.329,respectively,demonstrating that free trade zones have the most significant promoting effect on human capital levels in the western region.Similarly,dividing regions into coastal and inland areas,the policy treatment effects obtained through provincial clustering algorithms are 0.147 and 0.289,respectively.Using the non-clustering algorithm,the effects are 0.032 and 0.301,respectively,indicating that free trade zones have a more pronounced promoting effect on human capital levels in the inland region.In summary,the establishment of free trade zones can promote human capital levels,but this effect has a lag.Additionally,the policy effects between the establishment of free trade zones and human capital levels vary across different regions.Based on the obtained results,several recommendations are proposed.Firstly,regions should prioritize education and increase investment in education.Secondly,for economically underdeveloped areas,talent introduction strategies should be implemented,and based on geographical advantages and cultural characteristics,enterprises should be introduced to drive regional employment and reduce income disparities among residents.Furthermore,improving regional infrastructure,promoting cultural exchanges between regions,and strengthening educational concepts are essential.