China Family Panel Studies Research Articles

Gender role attitudes and the gender wage gap: evidence from China

This study explores the influence of gender role attitudes on the emergence of the gender wage gap in China, using the 2014, 2016, and 2018 data from the China Family Panel Studies and decomposition methods. Empirical results reveal that gender role attitudes significantly affect the gender wage gap in China and that the negative effect of inegalitarian gender role attitudes on wages is greater for women than for men. Both gender differences in the proportion of workers with inegalitarian gender role attitudes (endowment effect) and gender disparity in return to the gender role attitudes (return effect) contribute to the gender wage gap. Notably, the return effect outweighs the endowment effect. Furthermore, the effect of gender role attitudes on the formation of gender wage gaps differs across heterogeneous groups: the return effect is larger for urban workers or middle-aged and older generations compared to their rural counterparts or younger generations.

Entrepreneurship and subjective wellbeing in China: Exploring linkages and potential channels

We analyse the effect of entrepreneurship on subjective wellbeing in China. To do so, we use four waves of the nationally representative China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) longitudinal survey data. Employing a suite of quasi-experimental analytical procedures, we find that being an entrepreneur increases subjective wellbeing in China. Our estimates suggest that being an entrepreneur results in a 0.46 standard deviation higher subjective wellbeing than not being an entrepreneur. This finding is robust to different quasi-experimental methods. We also find that entrepreneurship enhances subjective wellbeing more among males and rural residents. Results on mediation analysis suggests that social and economic status are important channels through which entrepreneurship influences subjective wellbeing.

Family migration in China: A longitudinal analysis of couples' migration behaviour

AbstractThis article addresses internal migration behaviour in the context of two‐gender‐couple households in contemporary China. Against the backdrop of increasing female education in a society where ideals in the gendered division of labour prevail, this study assesses the role of partners' education in regards to a couple's migration behaviour. Considering education to be a key resource in a couple's negotiations, we test hypotheses on gender symmetry and asymmetry of a partner's resources with regard to a couple's relocation. Additionally, we assess how the role of partners' resources varies across populations with rural and urban backgrounds, and acknowledge persistent barriers to migration due to household registration policies (Hukou) and the associated disadvantages faced by rural migrants and their children. For our analyses, we deploy longitudinal couple‐dyadic data from the China Family Panel Studies (2010–2018) and estimate couples' inter‐county moves using discrete‐time event history models. Our results suggest that couple relocations are associated with higher levels of the male partner's education, and not with the female partner's education. We do not find that partners' gender ideology moderates these associations. The role of the male partner's education was found to be more relevant in couples' relocations for those with an agricultural household registration. Our research contributes importantly to debates on persistent gender inequality and urban–rural divides in China, and how these factors permeate migration behaviour.

A study on the impact of health shocks on subjective wellbeing of middle-aged people and older adults-Evidence from China.

The health issues that afflict middle-aged people and older individuals are a significant factor that affects their quality of life. It is crucial to investigate the impact of health shocks on the subjective wellbeing of this demographic and the mechanisms that underlie this impact to promote healthy aging. This study utilized data from the China Family Panel Study in 2018 and 2020 to analyze the effects of HSs and their categories on the subjective wellbeing of middle-aged people and older individuals using the propensity score matching difference-in-differences method. Additionally, the study explored the mediating role of social participation. The findings indicate that health shocks, both chronic and acute, diminish the subjective wellbeing of middle-aged people and older adults. Furthermore, these shocks have a more significant negative effect on the subjective wellbeing of individuals aged 60 and above, women in the middle-aged and older demographic, individuals in rural areas who belong to the middle-aged and older age groups, and individuals possessing activities of daily living. The mechanism analysis revealed that health shocks, both chronic and acute, reduce the subjective wellbeing of middle-aged people and older individuals by disrupting partnerships. Lowering the possibility of health shocks, the government should build a strong health management system and improve the health insurance system to enable timely treatment for persons suffering from health shocks. Individuals and families should live healthy lives and engage in social activities to avoid health shocks and improve subjective wellbeing.

The impact of robots on informal employment: evidence from China

ABSTRACT Informal employment, which has grown rapidly in recent years, is closely related to individual welfare, and is inevitably influenced by the rise of robots. Against this backdrop, this study aims to explore the impact of robots on informal employment. Applying a probit model and using data from the China Family Panel Studies in 2014, 2016, and 2018 and the International Federation of Robotics, this study reveals that robots do not have a significant impact on unemployment or labour force participation, but significantly increase the probability of informal employment. Further heterogeneity analysis indicates that robots have a greater positive impact on informal employment in the central and western regions of China. Moreover, individuals working in non-routine task-oriented industries, with higher general or specialized skills, exhibit a lower probability of being informally employed under the influence of robots. This study provides empirical evidence to maintain job market stability in the era of automation in China, which can also be used by policymakers in other countries.

Neighborhood Does Matter: Farmers’ Local Social Interactions and Land Rental Behaviors in China

The transfer of farmland is an important area of rural development research; however, the impact of rural social networks has been neglected in studies. The aim of this study is to explore the effects, mechanisms, and heterogeneity of neighbors’ behavior on the process of land renting by farmers. Based on the data of the China Family Panel Studies in 2018, this research empirically analyzes the impact of community-level, local social interactions on the land rental behavior of farmers and its mechanisms using a spatial probit model. The results of this study indicate that neighbors’ land rental behavior positively and significantly affects that of other farmers in the same village. In addition, neighbors’ land rental encourages other farmers in the same village to follow suit through an increase in the perceived importance of the Internet among the farmers. In addition, there is heterogeneity in neighborhood influence. Notably, the impact of social networks on the renting out of the land by farmers, as evidenced in this study, is a key factor in accelerating the circulation of rural land and promoting rural development, thus contributing to the process of rural revitalization and its recording in the literature.

Family income volatility among Chinese children, 2010–2018

A stable economic environment in a family lays the foundation for children’s healthy development, and income volatility is a key indicator of family economic (in)stability. Using longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study investigates exposure to family income volatility and its social determinants for Chinese children during the period 2010–2018. The results show that Chinese children experienced high levels of family income volatility during 2010–2018, and childhood exposure to income volatility in China is closely related to both family socioeconomic characteristics and structural factors. Specifically, children from low-income families, with less-educated and non-state-sector-employed parents, and holding a rural hukou (household registration) are more likely to experience childhood economic instability. Given that children from socioeconomically disadvantaged families already face challenges associated with constrained socioeconomic resources, the fact that they are also more likely to live in a precarious economic environment may put them at a double disadvantage in early life.

Can information technology construction alleviate household energy poverty? Empirical evidence from the “broadband China” Pilot Policy

Energy poverty poses a significant challenge to global sustainable development. With the rapid advancement of information technology, understanding its role in alleviating energy poverty holds great practical significance. This paper conducts a case study of the “Broadband China” pilot policy implemented by the Chinese government and utilizes panel data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) over the 2012–2018 period. In a difference-in-differences framework, we empirically investigate the alleviation effects of information technology construction on household energy poverty and its underlying mechanisms. The main findings indicate that (1) information technology construction significantly alleviates household energy poverty and demonstrates a sustained alleviation effect. These results remain valid after a series of robustness tests. (2) Heterogeneity analysis suggests that factors such as the regional economic development level and geographical location distribution can cause varying impacts of information technology on alleviating energy poverty. (3) Mechanism analysis reveals that information technology construction can alleviate household energy poverty through two potential channels: raising residents’ income levels and enhancing their environmental awareness. The conclusions of this paper provide valuable insights into leveraging information technology construction to alleviate energy poverty.

Bequest motives in the housing wealth effect: A new perspective from China

While previous studies have extensively explored the impact of housing wealth on household consumption, only a limited number have investigated the role of bequest motives. This study focuses on understanding how bequest motives influence household consumption and decisions related to the intergenerational transfer of housing assets. Using panel data from three waves of the China Family Panel Studies collected biennially from 2014 to 2018, we empirically assess the housing wealth effect (HWE) and find that bequest motives play a significant negative role in this context, producing a dampening effect on household life satisfaction. Our results also suggest that the influence of bequest motives on housing wealth is more prominent among economically disadvantaged households, households with higher levels of education, and middle-aged and older households. These findings imply that implementing inheritance taxes could facilitate the leveraging of the HWE, ultimately promoting increased household consumption.

Synergistic effects of regional environmental governance on alleviating energy poverty and promoting household decarbonization

Alleviating energy poverty and lowering carbon emissions are two crucial goals that can help achieve sustainable regional development. However, to make this a reality, it is vital to understand the relationship between environmental governance and these goals, especially at the household level. This study utilizes microdata from the 2012–2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to construct models. We examine the synergies between reducing household energy poverty and emissions mitigation under regional policies, aiming to solve the long-standing energy poverty problem and reduce carbon emissions. Our findings emphasize that China's environmental governance exhibits significant synergies by concurrently addressing household energy security and promoting carbon reductions through integrated policy approaches. The efficacy and synergy depend critically on optimizing energy consumption structure, decreasing carbon intensity, and enabling technological advancement. These insights highlight the importance of top-level government design in balancing energy security and emissions reductions. Recommendations include establishing a robust governance framework to coordinate energy and climate goals while integrating climate and ecological governance regulations. The income-differentiated analysis provides valuable guidance for policymakers seeking to alleviate energy poverty and strengthen decarbonization, underscoring the importance of targeted interventions for disadvantaged households.

Indebtedness and mental health in China: the moderating roles of income and social support.

To explore the effect of indebtedness on mental health and the moderating effects of two types of coping resources (i.e., income and social support) in the Chinese context. 41,274 adults from four waves of China Family Panel Studies conducted in 2012, 2016, 2018, and 2020. Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used for investigation. Pooled ordinary least squares regressions were used to examine the effect of indebtedness on mental health and the moderating effects of income and social support. Stata 16.0 was used to conduct data analysis. The results showed that indebtedness had an adverse effect on mental health among Chinese adults. Furthermore, debtors with higher incomes showed fewer mental disorders than those with lower incomes. In terms of social support, monetary support from relatives was able to moderate the negative effects of indebtedness; however, the moderating effects of emotional support were negligible. The results of this study indicated the adverse mental health outcomes of indebtedness in emerging economies and highlighted that economic resources played protective roles against debtors' mental disorders.

Internet use and rural income inequality: evidence from China

The integration of the digital transformation of agriculture and China’s ‘dual-carbon’ strategy for agriculture is new momentum for developing agriculture, reducing rural income inequality, and improving the subjective well-being of farm households. This paper uses data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2014, 2016, and 2018 to examine the impact of internet use on rural income inequality at the household level. The results show that internet use can significantly reduce rural income inequality by enhancing information availability and farm households’ nonfarm employment level. The results of a heterogeneity analysis reveal that the internet is more conducive to improving the income inequality of rural burdened families and families in Western China. Further analysis shows that improving income inequality can enhance the subjective well-being of farmer households. Accelerating the construction of digital villages, building internet skills cultivation systems, and focusing on the utility of internet use among vulnerable rural groups can reduce rural income inequality.

Income composition inequality of Chinese residents and fiscal redistribution effect: An empirical analysis on individual income tax and transfer system.

Based on the data of China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper decomposed Chinese residents' income into labor income and capital income by income source, and measured the income inequality and income composition inequality of Chinese residents during 2010-2018. We take the Gini coefficient as a measure of inequality and, by decomposing it by income source, analyze the absolute and relative marginal effects of capital income and labor income on the overall income inequality. On this basis, this paper discusses the redistributive effect of financial instruments such as personal income tax and transfer payment on income inequality and income composition inequality. The results show that capital income is not only the main driving factor for the increase of overall income inequality, but also its influence on inequality is gradually increasing. The results of the redistribution effect of fiscal instruments show that although individual income tax and transfer payment both help to reduce the overall income inequality, only individual income tax can reduce the inequality of income composition, while transfer payment will exacerbate it. In the background of the rising share of capital income, it may widen the income distribution gap in the long run. Hence, future fiscal redistribution efforts should consider the income composition inequality. This includes further promotion of individual income tax reforms, optimization of the tax rate structure, enhancement of relevant tax laws governing capital income like property income, and continuous improvement in the redistributive impact of fiscal instruments.

Digital Financial Inclusion and Financial Vulnerability Analysis of the Household Economy - Empirical Evidence Based on CFPS

Abstract The global landscape of digital financial inclusion aims to extend broader, more accessible, and cost-efficient financial services via digital channels to those marginalized by conventional financial systems. Particularly in developing countries, household economic and financial fragility remains a pressing concern. Economic vulnerability denotes the incapacity of households to withstand unforeseen difficulties in the wake of economic downturns, precipitating a significant deterioration in living standards. This research investigates the role of digital financial inclusion in diminishing household economic vulnerability and enhancing the efficacy of financial services to address this challenge. Employing a fuzzy rough set algorithm to examine the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) dataset, our analysis identifies critical factors of household economic vulnerability and their interaction with digital financial inclusion services. Findings demonstrate that digital financial services markedly reduce household economic vulnerability, evidenced by a 12% improvement in household solvency and a 20% uplift in financial resilience. Rural and lower-income families derive the most significant benefits from digital financial inclusion. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of advancing financial literacy and refining financial product design as pivotal strategies in mitigating household economic vulnerability. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers and financial service providers on leveraging digital technology to bolster household economic stability.

National centralized drug procurement and health care expenditure of households-micro-evidence from CFPS.

This paper utilizes data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to evaluate the impact of the "4 + 7" National Centralized Drug Procurement (NCDP) on Per Capita Household Health Care Expenditure (PCHHCE). The study applies the Differences-in-Differences (DID) methodology to analyze the effects of NCDP. Various robustness tests were conducted, including the Permutation test, Propensity Score Matching, alterations in regression methodologies, and consideration of individual fixed effects. Research indicates that the implementation of NCDP led to a reduction of 10.6% in PCHHCE. The results remained consistent across all robustness tests. Additionally, the research identifies diversity in NCDP effects among various household characteristics, with a more significant impact on households residing in rural regions of China, enrolled in Basic Medical Insurance for urban and rural residents and urban workers, and having an income bracket of 25-75%. These findings carry policy implications for the future expansion and advancement of NCDP in China. The study highlights the effectiveness of NCDP in reducing healthcare expenditures and suggests potential areas for policy improvement and further research.

Parental Involvement, Academic Self-Efficacy, and Depression on Academic Performance Among Chinese Students During COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study was conducted to identify the factors (especially parental involvement, academic self-efficacy, and depression) associated with academic performance among Chinese K-12 students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The CFPS was conducted from July to December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A multistage probability sample proportional to size was used for the survey. The final sample consisted of 1747 K-12 students. This study used the 14-item Chinese Parental Involvement and Support Scale, the Responsibility Scale, and the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale to measure parental involvement, academic self-efficacy, and depression, respectively. An ordered probit regression and structural equation models were employed to analyze the factors associated with academic performance. A multiple imputation technique was applied to compute missing values in selected variables. We found that parental involvement and academic self-efficacy were positively associated with good academic performance. In contrast, depression was negatively associated with good academic performance. Moreover, academic stress, male, rural residency, middle school, family size, high income, online gaming daily, reading, and intelligence quotient were statistically significant predictors on academic performance. The empirical findings suggested that parental involvement and academic self-efficacy were positively and significantly associated with good academic performance. However, depression was negatively and significantly associated with good academic performance. These results showed that policymakers and practitioners can help improve academic success and address educational inequalities among K-12 students by implementing a series of reforms.

The Impact of Educational Inequality on Subjective Well-being among Residents: An Empirical Study Based on the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) Data

The Impact of Educational Inequality on Subjective Well-being among Residents: An Empirical Study Based on the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) Data

The dilemma between fertility and work: How did the Universal Two-Child policy affect Chinese women's labor income?

Based on China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data from 2012 to 2020, we estimate the effect of the "Universal Two-Child" (UTC) policy on women's employment income in China by the Difference-in-Difference (DID) model. Our results show that the UTC policy leads to an average decrease of 20.86% in women's employment income. Moreover, we reveal the mediation effect in the impact of the UTC policy on women's income and find that the UTC policy leads to a decrease in women's income by reducing their working hours and hourly wages. Furthermore, we find that the negative impacts of the UTC policy on women's employment income are greater among women under 35 years old and those without a bachelor's degree.

Can Targeted Poverty Alleviation Program Reduce Depression? Evidence From China.

This study aimed to examine whether China's Targeted Poverty Alleviation (TPA) program mitigates depression and explores the mechanisms through which the TPA program affects individuals' depression. Using the data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) survey from 2012 to 2020, we employ a Difference-in-Difference model to analyze the effect of the TPA program on individuals' depression levels. Our findings indicate that the TPA program reduces depression scores by 0.116 points, accounting for 6.82% of the standard deviation of depression scores. Further analyses indicate that these effects are mediated through improvements in local medical conditions, reductions in household healthcare spending, increases in household entertainment expenditures, and greater likelihood of living in family. This study showed that the TPA program significantly mitigates individuals' depression levels. The possible channels include (1) improving local medical conditions, (2) cutting down household healthcare spending, (3) increasing household entertainment expenses, and (4) increasing the likelihood of living in family.

Does the Healthy China 2030 Policy Improve People's Health? Empirical Evidence Based on the Difference-in-Differences Approach.

The Healthy China 2030 (HC2030) policy is currently recognized as China's most significant and influential national health policy. However, despite its implementation in 2016, the policy's impact has yet to be comprehensively evaluated, particularly in relation to its effectiveness in enhancing population health and promoting public health equity. We utilized the Difference-in-Differences (DiD) method to evaluate the impact of the HC2030. Our analysis utilized a panel dataset derived from five longitudinal surveys conducted by the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The implementation of HC2030 has improved the overall health status of residents, particularly in urban areas and the western and eastern regions. Mechanistic analysis has further unveiled that the policy's beneficial impact on health outcomes is attributed to a rise in physical activity frequency and the betterment of mental health. Additionally, female, married, and medically insured individuals have demonstrated a significant positive impact of the policy on their health outcomes. Although the HC2030 appears to have effectively improved overall population health, it needs to promote equity in public health adequately. The study suggests adjustments are needed to address the unequal distribution of health outcomes between urban and rural areas and among different regions.