Hukou System

Question 1

Hukou

Answer 1

A core Chinese socioeconomic institution
* the residency permit issued in the People’s Republic of China in 1950s which officially identifies a person as a resident of an area8

Question 2

Why was Hukou used?

Answer 2

• during the Mao Years (1949-76) the hukou system was used to restrict migration and avoid unmanageable growth in cities

Question 3

Hukou rules

Answer 3

• people only had access to social and welfare facilities and benefits in their home district.
• If they moved, they lost their entitlement to housing and employment anywhere else in China

Question 4

Consequences of the Hukou system

Answer 4

• reduced contacts between urban and rural areas (split families)
• economic inequalities to develop (wealth differences)
• social inequalities (discrimination)
• The floating population

Question 5

Consequences on Hukou system (social inequalities)

Answer 5

• Migrants can get urban residency if 有 permanent job 和 good income (ie from a privileged classes.
• However, this discriminates against poorer rural migrants whose unskilled labour keeps most cities functioning
• school discrimination

Question 6

Hukou reform: Temporary urban hukou

Answer 6

However, since the 1990s, demand for unskilled and semi-skilled labour in cities has led to rural migrants being given a temporary urban hukou enabling them to have access to some housing and basic welfare in cities

Question 7

Consequences of the Hukou system (“the floating population”)

Answer 7

migrants with a temporary hukou since they cannot stay permanently in a new location.
- This inflexibility has led to problems for young people in accessing education, health services and training.

Question 8

Consequences of Hukou (economic and wealth inequalities)

Answer 8

• Hukou has increased the inequality of access to services in cities
• Stat: in 2009 as many as 20 million migrants may have had to return to their rural homes increasing the wealth gap in China.

Question 9

Hukou system: left behind children and education statistic

Answer 9

• 58 million children left behind
  Another 19 million remain in cities as second-class citizens
  • both groups have poorer academic performance and more behavioural problems
  State schools receive no funding for migrant pupil so often claim to be full.
• Others charge illicit donations of as much as 6,000 yuan a term. A migrants entire income

Question 10

Consequences of the Hukou system (split families)

Answer 10

• Migrant women (due to their semi permanent resident status) tend to return to their rural homes to marry and have their child.
• Many young couples have no alternatives but to find work in cities and their children are brought up Grandparents left behind in rural areas
• Young ppl have left the countryside leaving behind elderly people and young children.
- These problems manifest in lower attainment and poorer health

Question 11

Hukou vs population statistic

Answer 11

• Between 2011 and 2014, the increase in their overall population was 50% larger than the increase in their hukou-holding population.
• That suggests that roughly 1/3 new residents had to get by without a local hukou

Question 12

Consequences of Hukou (positive)

Answer 12

• Without it, mass migration would occur resulting in slums
• during the mao era, communist party decided to segregate urban and rural residents.

Question 13

Impact of Hukou on economic growth

Answer 13

• The ban of Hukou could allow China to more efficiently access unused productive forces in the countryside

Question 14

Small government’s response to the inefficiency of Hukou (reform)

Answer 14

• 2021 December, Shanghai=allow graduates of universities to acquire Hukou
• Hainan will reform household registrations into a unified system for all residents, urban and rural

Question 15

What is the CCP’s goal with Hukou?

Answer 15

The country strives to build an integrated society of ‘common prosperity’
- A CCP political slogan and stated policy to bolster social equality. Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, common prosperity = egalitarianism and collective ownership.

Question 16

What plan did China implement to reform Hukou?

Answer 16

• 2014, “The National New-type Urbanisation Plan.
• to close the urban social benefits gap by 2% by 2020
• this was not met, but instead has widened

Question 17

Hukou conclusion

Answer 17

In conclusion, the consequences of the Hukou system is detrimental to China’s future growth and welfare of the people. Whilst actions have been taken in an attempt reform the system, it has not been enough. There has been no incremental change, China lacks truly radial reforms. If change does not happen, China will not be able to sustain these problems in the future.

Question 18

Consequences of the Hukou system (split families statistic)

Answer 18

• Census 2000 reports that 22.8 million children were living without either one or both of their parents.
• this has worsened over time
• 2010, 61 million

Question 19

Hukou system education

Answer 19

• Due to limited space, the local governments prioritise the enrolment of local students
• rural and migrant students have to pay higher tuition fees, essentially pricing them out of a quality education.
• Alternatively sent to migrants schools but due to lack of funding = poor quality of education

Question 20

Discrimination from Hukou

Answer 20

8 million has been discriminated

Question 21

How many kids receive secondary education in rural areas?

Answer 21

2015, only 22% of rural kids reach secondary education