The Impact of Education on Intergenerational Occupational Mobility in Rural China
WANG Weidong1, BAI Yunli2, LUO Renfu3, ZHANG Linxiu2
1. School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; 2. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; 3. School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Abstract This paper assesses the impact of education on intergenerational occupational mobility within rural China by using a nationally representative sample. The empirical results suggest four crucial relationships. Firstly, education promotes upward mobility among rural laborers and reduces both downward mobility and occupational inheritance. Secondly, education becomes less important for promoting upward mobility over time. Thirdly, increasing years of schooling at any educational level will promote the upward intergenerational occupational mobility and hinder both downward mobility and occupational inheritance. Finally, higher education consistently plays the most vital role in promoting upward mobility regardless of the birth cohorts. However, the influence of high school on upward mobility among individuals born after 1985 is less than that who were born before 1985. It is necessary to increase investment in rural education, improve the accessibility of education and the quality of education for rural residents, and increase the opportunities for rural children to enter tertiary education institutions.
WANG Weidong,BAI Yunli,LUO Renfu et al. The Impact of Education on Intergenerational Occupational Mobility in Rural China. Economic Survey, 2020, 37(5): 037.
2020, Vol. 37 
