What urban public services do immigrant entrepreneurs with different educational backgrounds most value?

Abstract In national economic development, the unique geographical conditions of different regions lead to differences in the level of public services, with diverse impacts on attracting immigrant entrepreneurs with different educational backgrounds. This paper empirically analyses the impact of urban public services on attracting immigrant entrepreneurs with diverse educational backgrounds, using matching data from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) and the characteristics of 276 prefecture-level cities. We found that urban higher education has a significantly positive effect on attracting urban low-educated immigrant entrepreneurs. Higher education in urban areas, primary education in urban areas, and medical services have positive and significant effects on attracting immigrant entrepreneurs educated in urban areas. Higher education in urban areas, primary education in urban areas, and urban cultural services have positive and significant effects on attracting highly educated immigrant entrepreneurs from urban areas. Mechanism testing indicates that urban innovation capability and the intensity of government regulation plays a significantly moderating role in the impact of urban public services on the attractiveness of cities to urban immigrant entrepreneurs with different educational backgrounds. The research conclusions of this paper provide guidance for cities to manage the flow of immigrant entrepreneurial talent between regions through the provision of public services, optimized spatial allocation of human resources, balanced regional development, and higher levels of urbanization.