China’s Labour Migration Since 1978

The scale of internal migration in China has escalated rapidly since the introduction of economic reform. Much of this movement is labour migration, as mi Rions of people move permanently or temporarily to find work or a better standard of living elsewhere. As the regulations controlling movement have gradually weakened, more people have decided to look for work elsewhere. This chapter discusses the trends in labour migration, including the size, spatial pattern and time frame of movements, and provides possible explanations for these trends. All population movements are now seen as part of a total system, not just a response to push-and-pull factors. The chapter also focuses on research findings on the characteristics of labour migrants and the impact on sending and receiving areas.