Analyzing the Progress and Barriers to High-Quality Economic Development in China’s Central Region

This study investigates the phased evolution and critical bottlenecks of high-quality economic development (HQED) in China’s Central Region from 2012 to 2020. Methodologically, it integrates the CRITIC method with the obstacle degree model to diagnose development constraints, complemented by Principal Component Analysis for cross-method validation. The results reveal that while the Central Region exhibits a steady upward trend in HQED, significant regional disparities and growth fluctuations persist across different phases. Crucially, both deficiency and variance-driven perspectives converge to identify energy consumption, foreign investment utilization, and educational expenditure as the primary bottlenecks hindering HQED. To unlock regional economic potential, policymakers should prioritize innovation-driven green transitions and structural industrial adjustments. This study offers new insights into regional economic dynamics and presents a scalable diagnostic framework for coordinated regional development in China and globally.