Sustainability and Risks of Rural Household Livelihoods in Ethnic Tourist Villages: Evidence from China

Abstract

This study constructed a quantitative index system evaluating the level of livelihood sustainability of rural households in ethnic tourist villages and identified the main livelihood risks these households encountered. This was achieved by modifying the sustainable livelihood framework proposed by the Department for International Development (DFID) and testing it on three typical ethnic tourist villages in Guangxi, China (Jinkeng, Ping’an Zhuang, and Chengyang Eight). The results showed that the overall livelihood sustainability index was relatively poor. Livelihood assets and transforming structures and processes were the main factors that restricted the sustainability of household livelihoods. Social capital and financial capital values were lowest out of six types of livelihood capital examined. The lack of community participation of households adversely impacted the score of transforming structures and processes. Households encountered various livelihood risks. Generally, the livelihood issues that concerned most households were market, social, and education risks. However, when the farmers were enquired about a single risk that worried them the most, market, financial, and employment risks ranked the highest. Through quantifying the sustainability and risk of rural household livelihoods, guidelines and subsidies could be allocated to promote rural revitalization.