An exploration of spatial differences and influencing factors of migrant attainment in Chinese cities

ABSTRACT

Spatial inequality in migrant attainment has become a core issue in migrant welfare and urbanization. This paper investigates the spatial differences and related factors of migrant attainment in 337 Chinese cities using national survey data and applying the factor analysis method. The results indicate that migrants’ challenges in the economic and residential dimensions contribute the most to the relatively low degree of migrant attainment. The spatial distribution of migrant attainment is reflected in higher grades clustered in blocks in separate provinces. The economic and residential dimensions have opposite outcomes and reveal differences between China's north and south. The cultural and psychological dimensions are homogeneous, and the civil rights dimension is zonal. The spatial pattern of migrant attainment is jointly shaped by both the characteristics of the receiving cities and the migrants themselves. Hindrance factors involving policy differentiation and spatial barriers have the greatest impact. This paper puts into practice the theory of human-space relationship, provides a deeper research connotation, and delves deeper into the role of migrants and receiving cities. These findings provide an path to increase migrant attainment and spatial equality: determine the spatial characteristics – clarify the dimensions of lower migrant attainment – address the key influencing factors.

KEYWORDS:

• Migrant attainment
• multidimensional perspective
• spatial differentiation
• China

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank anonymous reviewers for the constructive comments that led to significant improvements in this article. Special thanks are extended to the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China for providing data.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data is offered by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and it is available at http://www.chinaldrk.org.cn/wjw/#/home. It can only be used after application and review by National Health Commission.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 41971202.