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The Impact of Removing Selective Migration Restrictions on Education: Evidence from China

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  • Yao Pan

Abstract

An open question in migration research is how the removal of selective migration restrictions affects migrants’ education decisions. I analyze this question in the Chinese context, in which the household registration system imposes selective rural–urban migration restrictions. The identification derives from a policy change that grants urban residency to a group of rural individuals based on their dates of birth. Using a regression discontinuity approach, I find that educational attainments for barely eligible rural residents decreased sharply after the reform. These effects are larger for males and for those able to permanently migrate to relatively rich areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Yao Pan, 2017. "The Impact of Removing Selective Migration Restrictions on Education: Evidence from China," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 52(3), pages 859-885.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:52:y:2017:i:3:p:859-885
    Note: DOI: 10.3368/jhr.52.3.1015-7460R1
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    Cited by:

    1. Dong, Xiaoqi & Liang, Yinhe & Zhang, Jiawei, 2023. "Fertility responses to the relaxation of migration restrictions: Evidence from the Hukou reform in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    2. Chuhong Wang & Xingfei Liu & Zizhong Yan, 2021. "Temporary versus permanent migration: The impact on expenditure patterns of households left behind," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 873-911, September.
    3. John Giles & Yang Huang, 2020. "Migration and human capital accumulation in China," World of Labour, LISER, pages 476-476, May.
    4. Yao Pan & Jessica Leight, 2021. "Educational Responses to Migration-Augmented Export Shocks: Evidence from China," Working Papers 2021-14, The George Washington University, Institute for International Economic Policy.
    5. Dongmei Guo & Shuning Kong & Xin Li & Yiming Liu & Weizeng Sun, 2025. "Urbanization and subjective well-being of native urban residents: evidence from the “new-type urbanization pilot policy” in China," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 74(1), pages 1-27, March.
    6. Yue Sun & Liqiu Zhao & Zhong Zhao, 2024. "Hukou Status and Children’s Education in China," Working Papers 2024-004, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    7. Narcisse Cha'ngom & Christoph Deuster & Frédéric Docquier & Joël Machado, 2025. "Selective Migration and Economic Development: A Generalized Approach," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 66(4), pages 1713-1732, October.
    8. Dang Hai-Anh H. & Huang Yang & Selod Harris, 2020. "Children Left Behind in China: The Role of School Fees," IZA Journal of Development and Migration, Sciendo & Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 11(1), pages 1-29, January.
    9. Chand, Satish & Clemens, Michael A., 2023. "Human capital investment under exit options: Evidence from a natural quasi-experiment," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    10. Ding, Xiaozhou, 2021. "College education and internal migration in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    11. Wang, Shaoda & Zhao, Xiangyang, 2025. "Does education affect charitable giving?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    12. Pan, Yao & Liu, Yishen, 2021. "Birth control, family size and educational stratification: Evidence from the Han and ethnic minorities in China," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    13. Yue Sun & Liqiu Zhao & Zhong Zhao, 2025. "Hukou Status and Children’s Education in China," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 73(2), pages 979-1021.
    14. Philippe BOCQUIER & Narcisse CHA’NGOM & Frédéric DOQUIER & Joël MACHADO, 2024. "The within-country distribution of brain drain and brain gain effects: A case study on Senegal," JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 90(3), pages 384-411, September.
    15. Jie Ji & Xiaoyue Sun & Zhiwen Zhang & Yingyan Cai, 2023. "Socioeconomic Status and Child Quality of Life: The Mediating Roles of Parenting Practices," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(3), pages 1073-1095, June.
    16. de Brauw, Alan, . "Rural-urban migration and implications for rural production," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 6(3).
    17. Xu, Huayu, 2021. "The long-term health and economic consequences of improved property rights," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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