A Study of the Impact of Free Compulsory Education on the Urban Mobility of Migrant Workers

Abstract

This study examines the impact of China's free compulsory education policy on the urban mobility of migrant workers. With the acceleration of urbanization, migrant workers have become an important force in China's urbanization and industrialization, but face barriers to urban integration. The report emphasized the promotion of migrant workers' citizenship, in which improving their education level is key. Since 2006, China has fully implemented free compulsory education and included rural compulsory education in the scope of public finance guarantee, which has had a positive impact on the education of migrant workers and their children, and a heterogeneity analysis reveals the existence of marital and educational heterogeneity. This policy is expected to enhance the willingness of rural migrant workers to reside in cities, promote urban-rural integration and development, and provide strong support for rural migrant worker citizenship.