The Economic Well-Being of the Family Left Behind: Impact of China?s Migrant Workers?

Using data collected in Chongqing Municipality (formerly a part of Sichuan) from 746 rural households, we conducted an exploratory study to investigate whether or not the economic well-being of rural households was improved by having member(s) who are migrant workers in cities or by the remittances migrants sent home. A total of seven indicators of household economic well-being are considered. The variations among rural households in economic well-being are explained using independent variables that differentiate migrant workers and their households. Because we used well-being indicators that are measured at different levels, we conducted multiple regression, logistic regression, and cumulative logistic regression analyses depending on the level at which a particular outcome variable was measured. Although we failed to find the anticipated positive association between our key independent variables and economic well-being, our analysis identified several factors that are unique to China?s transforming economy and stratification order which successfully predict migrant remittances and economic well-being of China?s rural households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]