Amenities, economic opportunities and patterns of migration at the city level in China. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Zhonglei; Zhang, Hua; Tao, Zhuolin; Liang, Jinshe
• Is Part Of: Asian and Pacific migration journal. Volume 28:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: internal migration -- urban amenities -- economic opportunities -- net migration rate -- China; Asia -- Emigration and immigration -- Periodicals; Pacific Area -- Emigration and immigration -- Periodicals; Migration, Internal -- Asia -- Periodicals; Migration, Internal -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Emigration and immigration; Migration, Internal; Asia; Pacific Area; Periodicals; 325
• DOI: 10.1177/0117196819832054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0117-1968

Abstract

This paper used a bootstrapped linear regression model to examine the role of amenities and economic opportunities in migration patterns in China based on the 2010 census at the city level. The results reveal that striking disparities characterize migration at the city level in China. Most migrants tend to move into several major cities in urban agglomerations in the eastern coastal region and provincial inland capitals. The cities farther away from provincial capitals have weak inflows and even suffer from serious population loss. The results suggest that job opportunities and wages contribute to the uneven pattern of migration in China even as amenities have also become important pull factors of migration. Regarding amenities, migrants prefer to move into cities with warm winters, less-humid summers, clean urban environments and friendly and open social climates. Social services, including facilities for education, recreation and commuting, also play an important role in attracting migrants. Findings from the study improve our understanding of China's internal migration and contribute to the debate on the role of economic opportunities and amenities in migration.