Skilled and less-skilled interregional migration in China: A comparative analysis of spatial patterns and the decision to migrate in 2000–2005

• Comparative analysis of skilled and less-skilled migration in China.
• Migration asymmetry is less severe among skilled migrants than less-skilled migrants.
• The regions of top attractiveness were similar for skilled and less-skilled migration.
• Less-skilled migrants left areas with a large population and a small non-agricultural sector.
• Skilled migrants left areas with a small non-agricultural sector, and a low wage level.

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of skilled and less-skilled migration in China, using the 2005 one percent population sample survey data. It is found that migration asymmetry existed among less-skilled migration in the period 2000–2005. The degree of migration asymmetry is less severe among skilled migrants than less-skilled migrants as the origins of less-skilled migration were much more concentrated than those of skilled migration. The top regions of relative attractiveness for skilled migration were similar to those of less-skilled migration. The relative emissiveness of skilled migration was less evenly distributed than that of less-skilled migration. Logistic models indicated that individuals who were younger, did not have children and elderly household members, and were engaged in non-agricultural work were more likely to migrate away from their original province than their counterparts, regardless of their skill levels. Less-skilled migrants tended to leave areas with a large population, a small non-agricultural sector, a high unemployment rate, and a small amount of foreign investment, while skilled migrants tended to migrate away from areas with a small population, an excessive supply of university graduates, a small non-agricultural sector, and a low wage level.