China: surplus labour and migration

Area of Science:

• Rural Sociology
• Labor Economics
• Urban Studies

Background:

• Underemployment in rural China creates a surplus labor force.
• Government policies aim to redirect rural labor but face limitations.
• Rural areas often lack sufficient alternative employment opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine surplus labor force and migration trends in China.
• To analyze the impact of rural underemployment on labor mobility.
• To assess the capacity of urban areas to absorb rural labor.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of government policies on rural labor transfer.
• Examination of rural-to-urban migration patterns, including seasonal and temporary movements.
• Assessment of the "floating" population dynamics.

Main Results:

• Significant surplus labor exists in rural China due to underemployment.
• Many rural workers migrate seasonally or establish temporary urban residences.
• China's cities and towns possess the capacity to absorb millions of rural laborers annually.

Conclusions:

• Rural underemployment drives substantial labor migration to urban areas.
• Urban absorption of rural labor offers mutual benefits to both sending and receiving regions.
• Effective labor transfer can alleviate rural underemployment and support urban development.