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The Potential Causal Effect of Hukou on Health Among Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China

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  • Meiping Sun

    (Fordham University)

Abstract

A number of economic studies have shown a strong positive correlation between urban household registration status (hukou) and better health outcomes in China. The question at the center is whether the correlation implies causation. Change in the hukou system, in 1964, is used to test the causality between hukou and health. The regression-discontinuity (RD) design estimates suggest that urban hukou citizens have a much better chance of being in good health. The deleterious effects of rural hukou on health possibly work through mechanisms of income disparity, variations in educational attainment, and availability of health insurance.

Suggested Citation

  • Meiping Sun, 2021. "The Potential Causal Effect of Hukou on Health Among Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(3), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:42:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s10834-020-09698-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-020-09698-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yinhe Liang & Xiaobo Peng & Meiping Aggie Sun, 2024. "Long-Term Impacts of Growth and Development Monitoring: Evidence from Routine Health Examinations in Early Childhood," CESifo Working Paper Series 10912, CESifo.
    2. Hong Chen & Jia Yu & Mingshuai Qin & Yangyang Wang & Lijian Qin, 2023. "Unlocking Opportunities for Migrant Workers in China: Analyzing the Impact of Health Insurance on Hukou Switching Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-15, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Rural-to-urban migrants; Household registration system; Hukou system; Health status;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics
    • R5 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis

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