EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL LOCATION AND LONG-TERM SETTLEMENT INTENTIONS: A STUDY OF MIGRANT WORKERS IN URBAN CHINA

Abstract

This study delves into the link between the residential locations of migrant workers in China and their intentions to settle, set against the backdrop of the household registration system’s liberalization and the rise of a market economy. While migrant workers have significantly contributed to the societal development of China, research indicates their struggles with local community integration, leading many to eventually return to their hometowns. The influence of migrant workers’ residential choices on their migration patterns has been underexplored in Chinese scholarly discussions, a stark contrast to the attention it has received in Western academia. Employing segmented assimilation theory and spatial assimilation theory as theoretical frameworks, the study scrutinizes the relationship between migrant workers’ residential location and their long-term settlement intentions, utilizing questionnaire data collected in 2020. The empirical findings indicate that residential location is significantly related to their long-term settlement intentions, as migrant workers residing in urban centers exhibit a more pronounced intention to remain in their host cities compared to their suburban counterparts. Furthermore, the relationship is also shaped by the degree of their social integration. The study further emphasizes the importance of accounting for migration timing and homeownership status when examining this relationship, contributing to a deeper understanding of the factors that shape migration decisions in the context of China’s rapid urbanization.