Internal Migration, Elderly Care and Mortality in China

Zhenhua Xu, Peking University
W. Jean Yeung, National University of Singapore and University of Michigan

This paper investigates the implications of the out-migration from rural to urban areas in China for the social and economic well-being of elderly parents who remain in the rural areas. China is experiencing rapid aging and vast waves of out migration from rural to urban areas simultaneously. Base on data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), we explore how the out-migration of adult children affects monetary, instrumental help, and emotional support of Chinese rural elders. Preliminary results show that a quarter of the rural elderly had at least one child living in a different county. Almost 90% of the elderly received money from children, while only 10% gave money to their children. Number of migrant children is positively related to the amount of money received by the elderly while emotional well-being of the elderly does not seem to be significantly affected. More careful analysis will be conducted.