Modelling Regional Migration in China: Estimation and Decomposition

Abstract

In this paper I consider the issue of identifying the effects of spatial structure and the origin and destination attributes on interregional migration. A decomposition approach is developed based on migration models. The interprovincial migration data in China over the period 1985–1990 are used to estimate a gravity migration model, an extended gravity model, a Poisson gravity model, and a multilevel Poisson model, which are then used to decompose the various effects on migration in China.