The effect of human educational capital on health entitlement acquisition among migrant workers in China: evidence from the 2018 China Migrants Dynamic Survey
China Agricultural Economic Review
ISSN: 1756-137X
Article publication date: 17 October 2023
Issue publication date: 1 December 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper employs nationwide, large-scale field survey data to provide the first empirical evidence on the impact of human educational capital on the acquisition of health entitlement among Chinese migrant workers. The findings of this study hold significant practical implications for the formulation of policies aimed at improving the health protection of migrant workers, as well as for socioeconomic policies during China's transitional period.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the IVProbit model, this research examines how human educational capital influences the attainment of health entitlement among migrant workers in China by analyzing the impact and mechanism of education on health entitlement. The study is based on the China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) data from 2018, which include 100,177 observations.
Findings
For migrant workers in China, higher levels of education have a significant positive effect on the acquisition of health entitlements, including medical insurance, health records and health education. The positive impact of human educational capital on health entitlements is more significant for non-provincial cities and young-generation migrant workers. The results also show that human educational capital can influence the acquisition of health entitlements through mediators such as financial status, social integration and health status.
Originality/value
This study represents the first empirical attempt to evaluate the influence of human educational capital on the access of migrant workers in China to health rights and interests. Additionally, the study develops a theoretical framework to examine how the impact of human educational capital varies across migrant workers with different characteristics and their access to health entitlements.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the supports by the Social Science Foundation of Anhui Province of China (AHSKY2020D44), the major project of the Social Science Foundation of Anhui Province of China (AHSKZD2019D04), the key project of Humanity and Social Science supported by the Department of Education of Anhui Province (2022AH050561), and the innovation team project of cooperative development and rural revitalization supported by the Department of Education of Anhui Province (2023AH010010).
Citation
Chen, H., Chen, C.-P., Jin, W., Wang, Y. and Qin, L. (2023), "The effect of human educational capital on health entitlement acquisition among migrant workers in China: evidence from the 2018 China Migrants Dynamic Survey", China Agricultural Economic Review, Vol. 15 No. 4, pp. 814-832. https://doi.org/10.1108/CAER-03-2023-0059
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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