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To Float or Not to Float? Internal Migration of Skilled Laborers in China

Author

Listed:
  • Yanqiao Zheng

    (Department of Finance, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou 310018, China)

  • Xiaoqi Zhang

    (National School of Development, Southeast University, Nanjing 210000, China)

  • Qiwen Dai

    (School of Economics & Management, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China)

  • Xing Zhang

    (Finance Department, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China)

Abstract

This paper uses data from job-recruiting platforms to study the distribution patterns and migration destination choices of a skilled internal migrant population. We find that, in most first-tier cities and most emerging second-tier cities, more than half of the skilled jobseekers do not hold local household registration. The most important finding of this paper is the heterogeneity of attributes prioritizations between intra- and inter- provincial migrants. Intra-provincial skilled migrants put more value on employment opportunities than on amenity attributes, while their inter-provincial counterparts prioritize amenity over employment aspects.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanqiao Zheng & Xiaoqi Zhang & Qiwen Dai & Xing Zhang, 2020. "To Float or Not to Float? Internal Migration of Skilled Laborers in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:9075-:d:457100
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    References listed on IDEAS

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