The impact of basic public health services on migrants’ settlement intentions

Abstract

An important task in the urbanization process of developing countries is to promote and support migrants’ settlement in cities. Based on the China Migrants Dynamic Survey of 2018, this paper analyzes how basic public health services (BPHSs) impact migrants’ settlement intentions. This study shows that establishing health records and access to health-related knowledge significantly and positively impact migrants’ intentions to settle permanently in inflow areas by increasing their health status and degree of social integration. Yet, this paper discusses how the trends are heterogeneous, finding that BPHSs more significantly impact the settlement intentions of female, less-educated and rural migrants. The findings of this paper provide new factual evidence that may support government policymaking to further improve migrants’ utilization of medical and health resources and their intention to settle down.