Urbanization in China, 1982-87: Effects of Migration and Reclassification

Abstract

This report explains that while official figures indicate that between 1982-1987 Chinas urban more than doubled these facts are somewhat misleading considering that it is not migration but the reclassification of what constitutes urban that is primarily responsible for the massive growth of in the number urban dwellers. Since the revolution China has viewed large cities as detrimental to the social environmental and economic well-being of the favoring the development of small cities and towns. The government has instituted strict measures to control the migration to cities. Nonetheless the urban has increased dramatically. But an analysis of a 1982 census and a 1987 national survey reveals that this growth is mostly due to reclassification (officials hope that by assigning them urban status previously rural towns and villages can exercise greater autonomy and financial power). During the period Chinas urban increased from 206.4 million to 503.6 million and the level of urbanization has risen from 20.6% to 46.6%. Other factors have also been involved in the growth of the urban population: the recognition that large cities play an important role in economic development and temporary migrants -- a floating population of 50 million. But for the most part reclassification has been the main factor. And this development has led changes in the characteristics of the urban which more and more resembles the rural population. The age composition of cities has decreased the sex ratio has decreased and the number of agricultural workers among the urban has increased.