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Demographic Transition And Labour Market Changes: Implications For Economic Development In China

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  • Iris Claus
  • Les Oxley
  • Yang Du
  • Cuifen Yang

Abstract

China has witnessed a rapid demographic transition in recent decades, which has driven changes in labour market outcomes as evidenced by labour shortages and increasing wages for unskilled workers. In this paper, the authors survey the literature on population transition, factors influencing fertility and how these have changed, and population policies in China. The fundamental role of demographic transition in labour market changes is also reviewed. In addition, the paper discusses the implications of demographic transition and labour market changes for economic development in China, including ageing, impacts on potential economic growth rates, and challenges to human capital accumulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Iris Claus & Les Oxley & Yang Du & Cuifen Yang, 2014. "Demographic Transition And Labour Market Changes: Implications For Economic Development In China," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(4), pages 617-635, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jecsur:v:28:y:2014:i:4:p:617-635
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Johnston, Lauren A., 2020. "China’s Economic Demography Transition Strategy: A Population Weighted Approach to the Economy and Policy," GLO Discussion Paper Series 593, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    3. Tianqing Zhao & Wen Wang, 2023. "Coordination Dynamics between Population Change and Built-Up Land Expansion in Mainland China during 2000–2020," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-24, November.
    4. Yue Guo & Lailei Lou & Tailai Guo & Zuwei Yu, 2017. "Valuing The Chinese Reimbursement System Of The Retirement Pension Insurance For Urban Employees," Eurasian Journal of Social Sciences, Eurasian Publications, vol. 5(2), pages 34-52.
    5. Iris Claus & Les Oxley & Yong Cai & Yuan Cheng, 2014. "Pension Reform In China: Challenges And Opportunities," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(4), pages 636-651, September.
    6. Taoyuan Wei & Qin Zhu & Solveig Glomsrød, 2018. "Ageing Impact on the Economy and Emissions in China: A Global Computable General Equilibrium Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-13, April.
    7. Hao, Yu & Zhang, Zong-Yong & Yang, Chuxiao & Wu, Haitao, 2021. "Does structural labor change affect CO2 emissions? Theoretical and empirical evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    8. Fan, Xiao-chao & Wang, Wei-qing, 2016. "Spatial patterns and influencing factors of China׳s wind turbine manufacturing industry: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 482-496.
    9. Zhong, Hai, 2014. "The effect of sibling size on children's health: a regression discontinuity design approach based on China's one-child policy," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 156-165.
    10. Agovino Massimiliano & Garofalo Antonio & Cerciello Massimiliano, 2019. "Do Local Institutions Affect Labour Market Participation? The Italian Case," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 19(2), pages 1-21, April.
    11. Fang Cai & Yang Du, 2015. "The Social Protection System in Ageing China," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 10(2), pages 250-270, July.
    12. Yue Yin & Ye Jiang, 2023. "Fertility Effects of Labor Market Conditions at Graduation," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 31(4), pages 120-152, July.
    13. Iris Claus & Les Oxley & Iris Claus & Les Oxley, 2014. "The Chinese Economy, Past, Present And Future," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(4), pages 595-599, September.
    14. Zhoufu Yan & Shurui Zhang & Fangwei Wu, 2023. "Labor Endowment Change, Regional Difference, and Agricultural Production Location Adjustment: Evidence from China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, February.
    15. Denise Hare, 2018. "Examining The Timing Of Women'S Retirement In Urban China: A Discrete Time Hazard Rate Approach," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 36(3), pages 451-466, July.
    16. Luisa Alamá-Sabater & Miguel A. Márquez & Emili Tortosa-Ausina, 2020. "Spatio-sectoral heterogeneity and population-employment dynamics: Some implications for territorial development," Working Papers 2020/24, Economics Department, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón (Spain).
    17. Diana Barros (a) Aurora A.C. Teixeira (b), 2021. "A Portrait of Development Economics in the Last Sixty Years," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 46(2), pages 69-118, June.
    18. Gindra Kasnauskiene & Karol Michnevic, 2017. "Contribution of increased life expectancy to economic growth: evidence from CEE countries," International Journal of Economic Sciences, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences, vol. 6(2), pages 82-99, November.

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