Date of Award

6-2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Economics

First Advisor

Wei-Chiao Huang, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Eskander Alvi, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Gunther Hega, Ph.D.

Keywords

China, cross-provincial mobility, job type, migrant groups, pension participation, regional disparities

Abstract

As China undergoes rapid economic transformation and urbanization, the migrant population has grown significantly. Although migrants play essential roles in the labor market, they face persistent structural barriers to pension access. Regional disparities, occupational segmentation, and cross-provincial mobility constraints affect the probability of their pension participation. While policy efforts aim to expand coverage, the fragmented nature of China’s pension system continues to hinder equitable access for migrants. As a result, ensuring pension participation among migrant groups remains a pressing challenge.

Using data from the 2014 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS), this dissertation employs logistic regression models to investigate how job type, cross-provincial mobility, and regional disparities affect and shape the probability of pension participation among migrants. analysis is presented through three interrelated but distinct papers, each focusing on a specific migrant group within the context of China’s fragmented pension system.

The first paper examines how job types and regional disparities influence pension participation among rural-to-urban migrants. It finds that, compared to state-owned enterprises (SOEs), private enterprises are associated with the lowest probability of pension participation, while employment in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan enterprises, foreign firms, and the public sector is associated with a higher probability of participation. Regional disparities further exacerbate these inequalities.

The second paper explores how fragmented systems exacerbate pension gaps among urban-urban migrants in China. It focuses on regional and occupational barriers, as well as cross-provincial mobility. The findings indicate that cross-provincial mobility enhances the probability of pension participation in regions such as Eastern and Northeastern China but reduces it in Western and Central China. This reflects disparities caused by limited portability and fragmented policies.

The third paper investigates rural-to-rural migrants, emphasizing their confinement to the secondary labor market and the constraints posed by regional and occupational disparities. It finds that weak pension compliance in private enterprises limits pension participation, whereas workers in foreign firms and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan enterprises exhibit a higher probability of pension participation compared to those in SOEs. The results indicate that limited pension access among rural-to-rural migrants stems from institutional constraints and labor market segmentation.

Collectively, these studies reveal how regional disparities, occupational segmentation, and cross-provincial mobility constraints shape pension participation among different migrant groups. The findings underscore the institutional challenges within China’s fragmented pension system, highlighting the need for stronger regional coordination, enhanced pension portability, and targeted policy interventions to improve coverage and equity. Additionally, reinforcing labor protections and promoting greater integration of pension systems across regions and employment sectors will be crucial to achieving broader and more equitable pension access for China’s migrant workforce.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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