| By: |
Park, Albert (University of Oxford);
Wang, Dewen (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) |
| Abstract: |
Using data from recent surveys of migrants and local residents in 10 cities in
2005, this paper examines how migration influences measurements of urban
poverty and inequality in China, and also compares how other indicators of
well-being differ for migrants and local residents. Contrary to previous
studies that report that the income poverty rate of migrant households is 1.5
times that of local resident households, we find relatively small differences
in the poverty rates of migrants and local residents. Although the hourly
wages of migrants are much lower than those of local residents, migrant
workers work longer hours and have lower dependency ratios and higher labor
force participation rates. Including migrants increases somewhat measures of
urban income inequality. Significant differences between migrants and local
residents are found for non-income welfare indicators such as housing
conditions and access to social insurance programs. |
| Keywords: |
migration, urban, poverty, inequality, social protection, China |
| JEL: |
J61 O15 |
| Date: |
2010–04 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp4877&r=cna |