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Young women in cities: Urbanization and gender-biased migration

Author

Listed:
  • Koh, Yumi
  • Li, Jing
  • Wu, Yifan
  • Yi, Junjian
  • Zhang, Hanzhe

Abstract

Young women outnumber young men in cities in many countries during periods of economic growth and urbanization. This gender imbalance among young urbanites is more pronounced in larger cities. We use the gradual rollout of Special Economic Zones across China as a quasi-experiment to establish the causal impact of urbanization on gender-differentiated incentives to migrate. We highlight the role of the marriage market in increasing rural women’s chance of marrying and marrying up in urban areas during rapid urbanization.

Suggested Citation

  • Koh, Yumi & Li, Jing & Wu, Yifan & Yi, Junjian & Zhang, Hanzhe, 2025. "Young women in cities: Urbanization and gender-biased migration," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:172:y:2025:i:c:s0304387824001275
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2024.103378
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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