Abstract
AbstractThe influence of household demographic composition on rural migration in China has received limited attention. With data from a household survey in China's Sichuan and Hubei Provinces, this paper uses Probit models to explore the influence of household structure on migration decisions. It suggests that the three-generation household encourages out-migration, with the elderly playing an important role in supporting the migration of younger members by caring for their children. In contrast with earlier findings, the serious illness of an elderly member did not encourage the return of young migrants or discourage migration decisions unless the household included young children.
Highlights
Rural–urban migration has been one of the key drivers of demographic change over the past two decades in China
We initially model the relationship between migration decisions and household composition, number of children and number of elderly, controlling for individual characteristics
Note: We use the variables “Children number,” “Elderly number,” and “Serious illness elderly number” as dummy variables in this table. These results show that a range of individual characteristics, including age, gender, marital status, capacity for activity, and education level have significant effects on the migration decision
Summary
Rapid economic development in China has provided rural labor with enormous opportunities for nonfarm employment if they are willing to migrate This has resulted in substantial increases in income and diversification of income sources for rural households (De Brauw et al, 2002; Yang and Zhishui, 2003; Zhao, 1999). The associated demand for labor resulted in remarkable levels of internal migration, initially to work in village and township enterprises and to seek the higher wages offered in urban areas. These workers were often young men who left behind spouses, children, and elderly parents—the liushou, or those left holding the fort (Tan, 2009). The conceptual framework and findings from the household survey are used to explore policy implications
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