Change in China`s SRB: An Analysis with Spatial Panel Data

Quanbao Jiang , Institute for Population and development Studies, Xi'an Jiaotong University
Tingshuai Ge, Institute for Population and Development Studies, Xi’an Jiaotong University

Previous studies focused on identifying the determinants of sex ratio at birth (SRB) in China since the 1980s have ignored the spatial dependence of SRB. Using data from China’s censuses and inter-census surveys since 1982 and Dynamic Spatial Durbin Model, we investigated the change in China`s SRB. Results indicated that: (1) SRB and its influencing factors were spatially correlated at the provincial level; (2) The development of per capita GDP increased the SRB in the surrounding regions; (3) The improvement of urbanization level significantly lowered the SRB locally, while increasing the SRB of the neighboring regions; (4) Improved education attainment significantly lowered the SRB both in and around the region; (5) Birth control policy increased the SRB locally, but the indirect effects were not significant.

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 Presented in Session P3. Poster Session Migration, Economics, Environment, Methods, History and Policy