Linking Natural Resource Dependence to Sustainable Household Wellbeing: A Case Study in Western China

Wei Liu, Liyuan He, Jie Xu and Dingde Xu ()
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Wei Liu: School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
Liyuan He: School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
Jie Xu: School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Finance and Economics, Xi’an 710100, China
Dingde Xu: Sichuan Center for Rural Development Research, College of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: To reduce the threat of natural disasters, protect natural resources, and promote human wellbeing, Shaanxi Province, China has implemented the largest disaster resettlement project since 2011. It has moved 2.4 million people in three prefectures over 10 years. Using survey data from southern Shaanxi, China, this article measures sustainable household wellbeing (SHWB) and natural resource dependence in the context of disaster resettlement. It explores the differences in SHWB and natural resource dependence across different groups and relocation characteristics. To specifically analyze the effects of natural resource dependence on SHWB, ordinary least square (OLS) regression models were used to investigate their relationship. The results show that natural resource dependence shows significant positive correlation with SHWB. Meanwhile, the food dependence, energy dependence, and income dependence of relocated households show significant positive correlation with SHWB. Additionally, the SHWB of relocated households, voluntary relocation households, and centralized relocation households is significantly lower than local households, involuntary relocation households, and scattered relocation households. These findings have broader implications for rural communities in China and other developing countries, and are crucial for rural households to change the heavy dependence on natural resources and improve their wellbeing.

Keywords: disaster resettlement; sustainable household wellbeing; natural resource dependence; rural households; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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