Does urban–rural integration reduce rural poverty?

Abstract

Rural poverty reduction is a challenge worldwide. Urban–rural integration is not only the result of urban and rural development but also the cause of poverty alleviation. Few studies, however, have used empirical methods to examine the social impact of urban–rural integration. Against the Chinese background, this study adopts an empirical method to analyze the impact of urban–rural integration on rural poverty reduction at the micro level. The study finds that urban–rural integration can reduce rural households' absolute poverty and relative income poverty. The main channel is the access of rural households to medical services. However, there is regional heterogeneity and household heterogeneity. Urban–rural integration cannot reduce rural household poverty for the western regions with backward economies. Household heads' age, health and job will impact the effect of urban–rural integration on reducing rural household poverty. Urban–rural integration and poverty alleviation development work should pay more attention to access to resources and services and adopt differentiated policies for different regions. [EconLit Citations: R1]