Does Digital Literacy Enable Re-employment in Later Life? Evidence on Information Access and Urban–Rural Disparities

This study examines how digital literacy affects re-employment among middle-aged and older adults in China. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), we find that digital literacy significantly increases re-employment probability. This effect works primarily by enhancing individuals' ability to acquire information. The positive impact is significantly stronger for urban residents than for their rural counterparts, highlighting a digital divide in application efficacy. Further analysis suggests digital literacy mainly facilitates entry into flexible employment. Our findings underscore the importance of targeted digital skill training and creating supportive ecosystems to help older adults leverage digital tools for extended productive careers.