Changing Determinants of Household Formation and Homeownership Attainment in China: Growing Disparity among Age and Migrant Groups

Zhou Yu, University of Utah
Bin Liang, University of Utah

In this paper, using China's Census microdata in 2000 and 2005, we examine the changing determinants of household formation and homeownership attainment in the early 2000s, a period of rapid economic growth, large scales of rural-urban migration, and dramatic changes in the economy and demographics. However, scant research has been conducted at the national level or has tracked changes in housing distribution during the height of housing reform. This study will address these limitations. Results show growing inequality in access to housing. Young adults and rural migrants, who are new entrants to the housing market and vital to China's urban future, have lagged behind other demographic groups. There are even bigger disparities among migrants in cities, depending on their Hukou status, residency status, and mobility rates. While the housing market is maturing, housing attainment is greatly affected by demographic and institutional factors, most of which are unique to China.