Articles
Study on the Change and Factors of Emigration from Farmlands in China
1998 Volume 7 Issue 1 Pages 19-31
Details
1998 Volume 7 Issue 1 Pages 19-31
This study compares the recent emigration pattern from farmlands during the periods of 1985-1990 and of 1990-1995 using the population census. Emigration to other areas of the same province has decreased from 16 million to 12 million, while that to other provinces has increased from 6.6 million to 7.8 million. Among them, the emigration to farmlands of the other provinces during 1990-1995 has increased to more than double that of the previous period, suggesting job creation by the establishment of farm-based industries.
Emigration from 29 provinces, excluding Tibet, are categorized into 6 groups according to the pattern of the trans-provincial destination by the Cluster-Analysis method. One group to which Shanghai belongs includes a remote province, Xinjiang, while the other 5 groups consist of adjacent provinces. The emigration of those who were brought from Shanghai to Xinjaing during the Cultural Revolution period to their birthplace could be a reason for the result. A multivariate analysis suggests that distance and difference of economic situation between farmland and destination could be important factors for farmers when they decide their destination. By comparing the results from these two different periods, it is found that the destinations of trans-provincial emigration are concentrated in Beijing, Shanghai, Guandong, and Xinjian. Emigration to these four provinces amounts to 39.8% of the total trans-provincial emigration during 1990-1995.
Urban areas of 99 large cities, which are likely destinations for the farmers, are also categorized into 9 groups according to the improvement of infrastructure. Capital cities of the provinces in the southern region, including Guangzhou, are categorized into groups where electricity and water supply are being somewhat improved. On the other hand, improvement in the water supplies are relatively slow in northern capital cities including Beijing, reflecting the shortage of water supply along the Yellow river.
