Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Interprovincial Migration of Rural Population in China and Its Influencing Factors

In the era of significant migration, the rural population has been a major component of China’s internal migration. Utilizing data from the last three population censuses, this study examines the evolution and network characteristics of interprovincial rural migration in China from 2000 to 2020. A p...

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Main Authors: Wenyue Zhong, Yuanzhi Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/6/3029
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author Wenyue Zhong
Yuanzhi Guo
author_facet Wenyue Zhong
Yuanzhi Guo
author_sort Wenyue Zhong
collection DOAJ
description In the era of significant migration, the rural population has been a major component of China’s internal migration. Utilizing data from the last three population censuses, this study examines the evolution and network characteristics of interprovincial rural migration in China from 2000 to 2020. A panel model is employed to analyze the influencing factors. The findings reveal that the interprovincial migration of China’s rural population has increased rapidly, though the growth rate has decelerated. Provincial rural emigration scales have shown a differentiated trend, with the Heihe-Tengchong Line serving as a boundary, while the overall pattern exhibits a “center-periphery” structure. The primary migration destinations are the eastern coastal provinces. Between 2000 and 2020, China’s interprovincial rural migration network demonstrated strong centralization, but the agglomeration core of the network became more diversified. Spatially, interprovincial rural migration shows a clear preference for proximate destinations, and the interprovincial migration network has gradually shifted from an “umbrella-shaped” pattern to a “funnel-shaped” pattern. Key factors influencing the evolution of the interprovincial rural migration network include the per capita GDP, natural disasters, topographic relief, spatial distance, rural hukou population, and internet penetration rate. To facilitate orderly rural migration and support the major national strategies, it is essential to promote regional coordinated development, deepen rural hukou system reforms, and streamline factor flow mechanisms.
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spelling doaj-art-6bb4fb6b6ebc40dcabf1d337e18a09352025-08-20T02:42:41ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-03-01156302910.3390/app15063029Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Interprovincial Migration of Rural Population in China and Its Influencing FactorsWenyue Zhong0Yuanzhi Guo1Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaInstitute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaIn the era of significant migration, the rural population has been a major component of China’s internal migration. Utilizing data from the last three population censuses, this study examines the evolution and network characteristics of interprovincial rural migration in China from 2000 to 2020. A panel model is employed to analyze the influencing factors. The findings reveal that the interprovincial migration of China’s rural population has increased rapidly, though the growth rate has decelerated. Provincial rural emigration scales have shown a differentiated trend, with the Heihe-Tengchong Line serving as a boundary, while the overall pattern exhibits a “center-periphery” structure. The primary migration destinations are the eastern coastal provinces. Between 2000 and 2020, China’s interprovincial rural migration network demonstrated strong centralization, but the agglomeration core of the network became more diversified. Spatially, interprovincial rural migration shows a clear preference for proximate destinations, and the interprovincial migration network has gradually shifted from an “umbrella-shaped” pattern to a “funnel-shaped” pattern. Key factors influencing the evolution of the interprovincial rural migration network include the per capita GDP, natural disasters, topographic relief, spatial distance, rural hukou population, and internet penetration rate. To facilitate orderly rural migration and support the major national strategies, it is essential to promote regional coordinated development, deepen rural hukou system reforms, and streamline factor flow mechanisms.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/6/3029interprovincial rural migrationsocial network analysisHeihe-Tengchong Linerural populationLSDV method
spellingShingle Wenyue Zhong
Yuanzhi Guo
Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Interprovincial Migration of Rural Population in China and Its Influencing Factors
Applied Sciences
interprovincial rural migration
social network analysis
Heihe-Tengchong Line
rural population
LSDV method
title Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Interprovincial Migration of Rural Population in China and Its Influencing Factors
title_full Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Interprovincial Migration of Rural Population in China and Its Influencing Factors
title_fullStr Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Interprovincial Migration of Rural Population in China and Its Influencing Factors
title_full_unstemmed Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Interprovincial Migration of Rural Population in China and Its Influencing Factors
title_short Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Interprovincial Migration of Rural Population in China and Its Influencing Factors
title_sort spatio temporal pattern of interprovincial migration of rural population in china and its influencing factors
topic interprovincial rural migration
social network analysis
Heihe-Tengchong Line
rural population
LSDV method
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/6/3029
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