SMU SOE Seminar (February 15, 2023): Urbanization and Feminization

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ABSTRACT Urbanization could drive urban growth by increasing worker productivity due to agglomeration economies of a large labor market. The massive migration also results in an expansion of the urban marriage market by increasing the number of eligible singles. Our study aims to investigate the significance of the interplay between labor and marriage markets in comprehending the drivers and effects of urbanization. Using SEZ establishments in China from 1996 to 2000, we analyze how the SEZ-induced changes in the skill composition of the labor market further affected marriage market incentives, resulting in feminization in urban areas. In particular, the rural-urban migration for females, driven by the desire of better marriage market opportunities, is much more pronounced for unskilled females. Our study reveals the growing disparities between urban and rural areas and between males and females in the marriage market as a result of urbanization. Click here to view the CV.
		PRESENTER Yumi Koh The University of Seoul
		RESEARCH FIELDS Empirical Microeconomics Political Economy Public Economics
		DATE: 15 February 2023 (Wednesday)
		TIME: 4pm - 5.30pm
		VENUE: Meeting Room 5.1, Level 5 School of Economics Singapore Management University 90 Stamford Road Singapore 178903