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Solution to the Dilemma of the Migrant Labor Shortage and the Rural Labor Surplus in China

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  • Guifu Chen
  • Shigeyuki Hamori

Abstract

Since 2003, China's labor market has been facing two coexisting crises: a rural labor surplus and a severe shortage of migrant labor. Using data from the 2000 China Health and Nutrition Survey questionnaire, which covers 288 villages in 36 counties, this paper attempts to find a solution to this dilemma. Specifically, a multinomial logit model, a Mincer‐type model and a probit model are applied to examine the effect of educational level on the employment choices for rural laborers, and on the wages and the employment status of migrants. Based on the results of our analysis, we propose the implementation of policy aimed at increasing the educational level of rural dwellers, in conjunction with other policies to eliminate all artificial barriers, to facilitate the migration of rural laborers.

Suggested Citation

  • Guifu Chen & Shigeyuki Hamori, 2009. "Solution to the Dilemma of the Migrant Labor Shortage and the Rural Labor Surplus in China," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 17(4), pages 53-71, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:chinae:v:17:y:2009:i:4:p:53-71
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-124X.2009.01158.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Xing Ji & Jia Chen & Hongxiao Zhang, 2023. "Agricultural Specialization Threatens Sustainable Mental Health: Implications for Chinese Farmers’ Subjective Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-22, October.
    2. Fangbin Qiao, 2020. "The Impact of Agricultural Service on Grain Production in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-18, August.
    3. Qiao, Fangbin, 2017. "Increasing wage, mechanization, and agriculture production in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 249-260.
    4. Christoph Scherrer, 2018. "Labour surplus is here to stay: why ‘decent work for all’ will remain elusive," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 20(2), pages 293-307, October.
    5. Huasheng Zhu & Junwei Feng & Maojun Wang & Fan Xu, 2017. "Sustaining Regional Advantages in Manufacturing: Skill Accumulation of Rural–Urban Migrant Workers in the Coastal Area of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-23, January.
    6. Bai, Y. & Wang, W. & Zhang, L., 2018. "How long do returning migrants stay in their home county: Evidence from rural China during 1998 to 2015," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277380, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    7. Knight, John & Deng, Quheng & Li, Shi, 2011. "The puzzle of migrant labour shortage and rural labour surplus in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 585-600.
    8. Yunli Bai & Weidong Wang & Linxiu Zhang, 2018. "How Long Do Return Migrants Stay in Their Home Counties? Trends and Causes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-21, November.
    9. Lijian Qin & Zhen Wang, 2015. "Impact of Health Status and Related Factors on Labor Market Positions of Urban Mature Chinese," Journal of Labor Research, Springer, vol. 36(2), pages 224-231, June.
    10. Zhu, Hongfei & He, Lixin & Yuan, Tangjun, 2012. "Could Education Retain Farmers in the Local Area?," Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 53(1), pages 39-47, June.
    11. Lijian QIN & Shuangquan YU & Chenggang WANG & Zhongyi JIANG, 2013. "The impact of health on off-farm income of China's migrant workers," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 59(2), pages 90-99.

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