Abstract Basing on the data of CFPS in 2016,the paper makes an empirical study on social network, household debt and income gap by using the methods of Probit and Tobit. The results show that, firstly, social network has a positive effect on household debt; secondly, the heterogeneity of social network leads to the social network’s effect on household debt. Specifically, the influence of neighbors on household is greater than that of relatives and workmates in horizontal social network. The influence of communities on household is greater than that of government and personal social status in vertical social networks. Thirdly, horizontal network in rural areas has a greater impact on household debt level, while vertical network in urban households has a greater impact on household debt level. Finally, rising household debt will lead to widening income disparities, and social networks will magnify the impact.
2020, Vol. 37 
