Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Integration Effect on Rural Migrants’ Settlement Intention in Urban China

  • Published:
Applied Research in Quality of Life Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The integration experiences of migrants are intricately connected to their quality of life and influence their settlement decisions. This paper goes beyond the conventional research by investigating the distinct roles of integration dimensions and their interactions in determining settlement intention, using a sample of 12,252 migrants collected from eight districts/cities in China. It is revealed that economic integration, cultural adaptation, social engagement, and psychological identification positively influence settlement intention, but with different effects. Among these integration domains, social engagement and psychological identification play dominant roles, whereas cultural adaptation is the least influential. Furthermore, the level of cultural adaptation remains consistent for rural migrants regardless of their economic status or level of social engagement. Psychological identification mediates the relationship between economic integration/social engagement and settlement intention, resulting in two trajectories: “Economic integration → Psychological identification → Settlement intention” and “Social engagement → Psychological identification → Settlement intention”. These findings underscore the importance of fostering a migrant-friendly society to improve quality of life for rural migrants and promote their settlement intention, particularly within the context of China’s new-type urbanization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Awang, P. (2015). SEM made simple: A gentle approach to learning structural equation modeling. MPWS Rich Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, B. M. (2013). Structural equation modeling with Mplus: Basic concepts, applications, and programming. Routledge.

  • Cao, G., Li, M., Ma, Y., & Tao, R. (2015). Self-employment and intention of permanent urban settlement: Evidence from a survey of migrants in China’s four major urbanising areas. Urban Studies, 52(4), 639–664.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Z. (2019). How the choice of reference group matters: Economic integration of rural-to-urban migrants in China. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 47(19), 4428–4456.

  • Chen, J., & Cui, C. (2018). Large city or small town: An empirical analysis of the effects of migration strategies of rural households on income in China. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 13(1), 211–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S., & Liu, Z. (2016). What determines the settlement intention of rural migrants in China? Economic incentives versus sociocultural conditions. Habitat International, 58, 42–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, M. X., Liu, W. D., & Lu, D. D. (2016). Challenges and the way forward in China’s new-type urbanization. Land Use Policy, 55, 334–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dang, Y., Chen, Y., & Dong, G. (2019). Settlement intention of migrants in the Yangtze River Delta, China: The importance of city-scale contextual effects. Population, Space and Place, 25(8), e2270.

  • De Vroome, T., & Van Tubergen, F. (2014). Settlement intentions of recently arrived immigrants and refugees in the Netherlands. Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, 12(1), 47–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Pierre, S., Martinovic, F., & De Vroome, T. (2015). Return wishes of refugees in the Netherlands: The role of integration, host national identification and perceived discrimination. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 41(11), 1836–1857.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dicker, S. J. (2008). US immigrants and the dilemma of anglo-conformity. Socialism and Democracy, 22(3), 52–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickey, H., Drinkwater, S., & Shubin, S. (2018). Labour market and social integration of eastern european migrants in Scotland and Portugal. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 50(6), 1250–1268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Entzinger, H., & Biezeveld, R. (2003). Benchmarking in immigrant integration: Report written for the European Commission. Contract no. DG Jai-A-2/2002/006, European Research Centre on Migration and ethnic relations. Erasmus University of Rotterdam.

  • Gallagher, D., Ting, L., & Palmer, A. (2008). A journey into the unknown; taking the fear out of structural equation modeling with AMOS for the first-time user. The Marketing Review, 8(3), 255–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garnaut, R., Fang, C., & Song, L. (2013). China: A new model for growth and development. ANU Press.

  • Gordon, M. M. (1961). Assimilation in America: Theory and reality. Daedalus, 90(2), 263–285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, M. M. (1964). Assimilation in American Life. Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hao, P., & Tang, S. (2015). Floating or settling down: The effect of rural landholdings on the settlement intention of rural migrants in urban China. Environment and Planning A, 47(9), 1979–1999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harder, N., Figueroa, L., Gillum, R. M., Hangartner, D., Laitin, D. D., & Hainmueller, J. (2018). Multidimensional measure of immigrant integration. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(45), 11483–11488.

  • Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: a Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, X., Liu, Y., Xue, D., Li, Z., & Shi, Z. (2018). The effects of social ties on rural-urban migrants’ intention to settle in cities in China. Cities, 83, 203–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Y., Liu, W., Zhuo, Y., & Sun, X. (2020). Social insurance participation and urban settlement intentions of China’s floating population. Population, Space and Place, 26(8), e2366.

  • Jensen, P., & Pedersen, P. J. (2007). To stay or not to stay? Out-migration of immigrants from Denmark. International Migration, 45(5), 87–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khoo, S. E., Hugo, G., & McDonald, P. (2008). Which skilled temporary migrants become permanent residents and why? International Migration Review, 42(1), 193–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Likert, R. (1932). A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Archives of Psychology, 140, 1–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, S., Wu, F., & Li, Z. (2020). Social integration of migrants across chinese neighbourhoods. Geoforum, 112, 118–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, P. (2014). Ministry of Education official: The penetration rate of Mandarin in China reaches 73% (30 October vol., p. 14). China news.

  • Liu, Z., Wang, Y., & Chen, S. (2017). Does formal housing encourage settlement intention of rural migrants in chinese cities? A structural equation model analysis. Urban Studies, 54(8), 1834–1850.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z., Zhang, Y., Zheng, Y., Lan, J., & Zhang, G. (2019). Sense of belonging and social identity on the settlement intentions of rural-urban migrants: evidence from China. Ciência Rural, 49(8), 18.

  • Liu, Y., Liu, Y., & Lin, Y. (2021). Upward or downward comparison? Migrants’ socioeconomic status and subjective wellbeing in chinese cities. Urban Studies, 58(12), 2490–2513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paloma, V., Escobar-Ballesta, M., Galván-Vega, B., Díaz-Bautista, J. D., & Benítez, I. (2021). Determinants of life satisfaction of economic migrants coming from developing countries to countries with very high human development: A systematic review. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 16(1), 435–455.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, R. E., & Burgess, E. W. (1969). Introduction to the science of sociology. University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schermelleh-Engel, K., Moosbrugger, H., & Müller, H. (2003). Evaluating the fit of structural equation models: Tests of significance and descriptive goodness-of-fit measures. Methods of Psychological Research Online, 8(2), 23–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2014). Applied Research in Quality of Life (ARQOL): Where are we and issues for consideration. Applied Research Quality Life, 9, 465–468. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-014-9340-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L., Peng, H., Zhou, Z., & Editorial. (2022). Children and adolescent quality of life under socialism with chinese characteristics. Applied Research Quality Life, 17, 2447–2453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-021-09999-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, J. (2013). Increasing internal migration in China from 1985 to 2005: Institutional versus economic drivers. Habitat International, 39, 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, J. (2018). Urbanization, regional development and governance in China. Routledge.

  • Shrestha, N. (2021). Factor analysis as a tool for survey analysis. American Journal of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, 9(1), 4–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toruńczyk-Ruiz, S., & Brunarska, Z. (2020). Through attachment to settlement: Social and psychological determinants of migrants’ intentions to stay. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 46(15), 3191–3209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W. W., & Fan, C. C. (2012). Migrant workers’ integration in urban China: Experiences in employment, social adaptation, and self-identity. Eurasian Geography and Economics, 53(6), 731–749.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M., & Ning, Y. (2016). The Social Integration of Migrants in Shanghai’s Urban Villages. China Review, 16(3), 93–120.

  • Wang, C., & Shen, J. (2022). Settlement intention of migrants in urban China: The effects of labor-market performance, employment status, and social integration. Applied Geography, 147, 102773.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., & Shen, J. (2023). How subjective economic status matters: The reference-group effect on migrants’ settlement intention in urban China. Asian Population Studies, 19(1), 105–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Q., Ren, T., & Liu, T. (2019). Training, skill-upgrading and settlement intention of migrants: Evidence from China. Urban Studies, 56(13), 2779–2801.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., Shen, J., & Liu, Y. (2021). Administrative level, city tier, and air quality: Contextual determinants of hukou conversion for migrants in China. Computational Urban Science, 1(1), 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., Shen, J., & Liu, Y. (2023a). Hukou transfer intention of rural migrants with settlement intention in China: How cities’ administrative level matters. Journal of Rural Studies, 99, 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., Shen, J., Liu, Y., & Lin, L. (2023b). Border effect on migrants’ settlement pattern: Evidence from China. Habitat International, 136, 102813.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, F. K., Li, C. Y., & Song, H. X. (2007). Rural migrant workers in Urban China: Living a marginalised life: Rural migrant workers in Urban China. International Journal of Social Welfare, 16(1), 32–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, F. (2004). Urban poverty and marginalization under market transition: The case of chinese cities. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 28(2), 401–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, Z. H., Xu, S. Y., et al. (2018). Floating population and social integration: Theory index and method. Social Sciences Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, S., & Chen, J. (2018). Beyond homeownership: Housing conditions, housing support and rural migrant urban settlement intentions in China. Cities, 78, 76–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, S., & Guo, F. (2018). Breaking the barriers: How urban housing ownership has changed migrants’ settlement intentions in China. Urban Studies, 55(16), 3689–3707.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, C. Y., & Muthen, B. (2002). Evaluation of model fit indices for latent variable models with categorical and continuous outcomes. In Annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association New Orleans LA.

  • Zhou, H. (2012). Measurement and theoretical perspectives of immigrant assimilation in China. China Population Today, 36(6), 42–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Y., & Chen, W. (2010). The settlement intention of China’s floating population in the cities: Recent changes and multifaceted individual-level determinants. Population Space and Place, 16(4), 253–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research is supported by RGC Senior Research Fellow Award 2020/21, Research Grant Council, Hong Kong SAR, China (No. SRFS2021-4H02). We appreciate the insightful comments and suggestions of the editor and reviewers. Special thanks to Ms. Xinxin Zhu at The University of Edinburgh for her suggestions regarding the methodology.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Chenglong Wang

  2. Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Jianfa Shen

Authors
  1. Chenglong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jianfa Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chenglong Wang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, C., Shen, J. Integration Effect on Rural Migrants’ Settlement Intention in Urban China. Applied Research Quality Life 18, 2131–2151 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-023-10180-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-023-10180-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation