Based on methods of population-economy growth elasticity, center of gravity, geographic concentration and inconsistent index, this paper examines the coordinated evolution law of the population-economy of the Yangtze River Delta from 2000 to 2015. And through this perspective, we explore the driving factors of regional development gap at different periods using spatial panel model. Results show that the agglomeration pattern of regional population-economy changes responding to the evolution of development environment and policy. The approaching gravity center of population and economy indicates the gradual narrowing development gap. Regional economic concentration shows a “Z” shape, while population concentration shows significant north-south difference. Inconsistent index of the population-economy exhibits relatively stable pattern of “core-edge” with the phenomenon of increasing developed cities and decreasing less-developed cities, which respectively indicates the significant differences in regional development as well as the evolution of equilibrium trend. Driving factors of regional development gap vary in different periods, and the market force strengthens and government influence are weakening. Ordinary panel regression overestimates the effect of many influencing factors, and the declining spillover effects indicates the transition of regional development towards equilibrium to a certain extent.
