Sections:
Study of Urban Poverty in China
"13 million people are migrating to Chinese cities every year"
China is experiencing rapid and phenomenal urbanisation. This process, which is bringing millions of people to the cities every year, is changing the nature of poverty in China.
To understand this process more clearly, DFID China commissioned a study into the current state of urban poverty in China. Prepared by the international consultancy GHK, International Institute for Environment and Development and Chinese Academy of Sciences, the report investigates:
- urbanisation trends in China;
- linkages between rural and urban areas and their impact on poverty;
- the characteristics of urban poverty; and,
- activities being undertaken by the Chinese Government, international financial institutions, donors and other stakeholders.
It highlights a number of information gaps, draws a number of policy implications, and makes suggestions for future interventions and initiatives.
Key findings
The study has found important changes in the geographical pattern of poverty in China. Rural areas continue to have the poorest of the poor, but declining state owned enterprises and substantial migration has boosted the supply of urban labour, thus causing urban poverty to emerge as a serious issue.
This study has identified the following key areas for policy development and research: reforming the citizen registration system (Hukou); better information on types of migrants; better resource flows between provincial and central Government; issues on urban poverty and the environment; better information on remittances; reforming property rights: better livelihoods for urban poor; understanding links between semi-rural agricultural production and urban areas; identifying social protection schemes, better housing, health and education services for the increasing urban poor.
Resources
- Urban Poverty Study - Chinese / English
(1.1 mb)
Links
International Institute for Environment and Development
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