Reshaping Migrant-Native Health Disparities: evidence from the hukou reform in China

Chengxu He, Yinhe Liang and Gefei Wang

World Development, 2025, vol. 195, issue C

Abstract: This study examines the health effects of relaxing internal migration restrictions in China. By utilizing temporal and spatial variations in the reform rollout at the prefecture level across cities, we find that the reform significantly improved migrants’ relative health. The mechanisms primarily driving these improvements include increased insurance utilization and enhanced social capital. These results underscore the significant positive impact of relaxed internal migration policies on overall social welfare.

Keywords: Internal migration restrictions; Hukou reform; Health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I14 J61 J68 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:195:y:2025:i:c:s0305750x25001858

DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107100

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