Intergenerational Mobility in Contemporary China

Abstract

Using the 2005 and 2006 data of the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), this paper contributes new empirical evidence on the issue of intergenerational mobility in contemporary China. The analysis shows a generally rising trend of total and upward mobility in the changing structural context. Turning to relative mobility, however, there is no evidence in support of greater or lower openness of the society, as social fluidity is found to have been largely stable over time. This research also confirms the deciding role of social mobility of the rural population in the overall picture of intergenerational mobility in China and a stronger net origin-destination association for women than for men.