The Role of Land in Rural-Urban Migration: Evidence from China

Abstract

Using large household survey, the role of agricultural land in peasants’ decision of finding jobs in cities is examined.  We find that labor reallocation to non-agriculture is negatively associated with landholding and land tenure insecurity in rural China.  More children and elderly in a family reduce individuals’ migration propensity.  Regionally, landholdings still play a significantly negative role in labor reallocation while land tenure insecurity has insignificant impact on migration decision.