Left-behind children and return decisions of rural migrants in China

Démurger Sylvie, Hui Xu  (2013),  Left-behind children and return decisions of rural migrants in China, with Xu Hui, IZA Discussion Paper No. 7727, November 2013.

IZA Discussion Paper No.7727 November 2013

Abstract

Left-Behind Children and Return Decisions of Rural Migrants in China. This paper examines how left-behind children influence return migration in China. We first present a simple illustrative model based on Dustmann (2003) that incorporates economic and non-conomic motives for migration duration (or intentions to return), among which are parents’ concerns about the well-being of their left-behind children. We then propose two complementary empirical tests based on data we collected from rural households in Wuwei county (Anhui province) in fall 2008. We first use a discrete-time proportional hazard model to estimate the determinants of migration duration for both on-going migrants with an incomplete length of duration and return migrants with a complete length of duration. Second, we apply a binary Probit model to study the return intentions of on-going migrants. Both models yield consistent results regarding the role of left-behind children as a significant motive for return. First, left-behind children are found to draw their parents back to the village, the effect being stronger for pre-school children. Second, sons are found to play a more important role than daughters in reducing migration duration.
Jacqueline Nivard
Jacqueline Nivard
Jacqueline Nivard, Centre d'études sur la Chine moderne et contemporaine

OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Jacqueline Nivard (December 7, 2014). Left-behind children and return decisions of rural migrants in China. URBACHINA. Retrieved June 13, 2026 from https://doi.org/10.58079/v2y2


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