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Does climate matter? An empirical study of interregional migration in China
Author(s) -
Gao Li,
Sam Abdoul G.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
papers in regional science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.937
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1435-5957
pISSN - 1056-8190
DOI - 10.1111/pirs.12335
Subject(s) - china , geography , climate change , panel data , empirical research , population , economics , economic geography , demographic economics , econometrics , ecology , demography , philosophy , archaeology , epistemology , sociology , biology
This study focuses on the role of local climate conditions in spurring interregional migration in China over the period 2000 to 2010. We developed a robust empirical approach based on a correlated random effects model and a prefecture‐level panel dataset which allows us to account for both within province migration flows and prefecture‐specific characteristics. Empirical results reveal that climate conditions are important determinants of migration in China. Specifically, prefectures with warmer winter, cooler summer, and more available sunshine are more attractive to migrants. Economic factors such as income level and employment opportunities are also important drivers of population growth.