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Young Women in Cities

Author

Listed:
  • Koh, Yumi

    (University of Seoul)

  • Li, Jing

    (Singapore Management University)

  • Wu, Yifan

    (Shanghai University)

  • Yi, Junjian

    (Peking University)

  • Zhang, Hanzhe

    (Michigan State University)

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 causes of this gender imbalance. Our analysis suggests that a key contributor is gender-differential incentives to migrate due to rural women's higher likelihood of marrying and marrying up in cities when urbanization creates more economic opportunities and an abundance of high-income marriage-age men.

Suggested Citation

  • Koh, Yumi & Li, Jing & Wu, Yifan & Yi, Junjian & Zhang, Hanzhe, 2023. "Young Women in Cities," IZA Discussion Papers 16353, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    urbanization; migration; gender imbalance; labor market; marriage market;
    All these keywords.

    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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