1 论文标题
Hukou and Consumption Heterogeneity: Migrants' Expenditure Is Depressed by Institutional Constraints in Urban China
2 作者信息
Binkai Chen，Ming Lu，Ninghua Zhong
3 出处和链接
http://gcoe.ier.hit-u.ac.jp/research/discussion/2008/pdf/gd11-221.pdf Global COE Hi-Stat Discussion Paper Series 221， Feb 2012
4 摘要

This paper provides a new explanation  for China’s extremely low consumption-to-GDP
ratio, highlighting the constraints of  the  “household registration system” (Hukou) on
China’s household consumption. Our baseline results show that the consumption of
migrants without an urban Hukou is 30.7% lower than that of urban residents. Moreover,
consumption heterogeneity cannot be explained by migration effects, culture, social norms,
habits or some other forms of household heterogeneity. Further studies on the composition
of household consumption have shown that the gaps are largest in areas such as education
and culture, durable goods and health. As both the number and income level of migrants
are rising, the constraining effects of Hukou on household consumption will continue to
increase.