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Minimum Wage Disparities and Internal Migration: Evidence From China

Author

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  • Qianqian Yang

    (Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University, JAPAN)

  • Nobuaki Hamaguchi

    (Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration, Kobe University, JAPAN)

Abstract

This paper examines whether, and to what extent, inter-provincial migration in China responds to real minimum wage disparities. To conceptualize this relationship, we extend the Harris-Todaro framework by incorporating minimum wages in both rural and urban areas. For the empirical analysis, we utilize an origin-destination matrix constructed from Hukou-linked migration data (2000-2020) and match it with interprovincial minimum wage differentials. To address endogeneity concerns, we estimate a gravity-type model with fixed effects and apply an instrumental variable strategy. The baseline results indicate that a 1% increase in real minimum wage disparity leads to a 1.05% increase in inter-provincial migration. IV estimates suggest that simple OLS correlations may understate this positive effect. We also find significant heterogeneity: migrants from less developed provinces are more responsive to wage differentials, particularly when moving toward more urbanized regions. These findings highlight the role of minimum wage policy in shaping internal labor mobility within a developing and regionally diverse economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Qianqian Yang & Nobuaki Hamaguchi, 2025. "Minimum Wage Disparities and Internal Migration: Evidence From China," Discussion Paper Series DP2025-11, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    • Handle: RePEc:kob:dpaper:dp2025-11
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    File URL: https://www.rieb.kobe-u.ac.jp/academic/ra/dp/English/DP2025-11.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Minimum wage; Internal migration; China; Regional wage disparities; Instrumental variable strategy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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