China's floating population totals 236 million
Xinhua 2013-09-11 16:42
People wait to board a train in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. (Photo/CNS)
China had 236 million floating people — those who left their places of origin to seek employment or education elsewhere — last year, a health official said on Tuesday
The number represents one-sixth of the country's total population, with more than half of them of working age born after 1980.
Wang Qian, director of the floating population division of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, said that the new generation of the floating population, with an average age of 28 last year, leave home at a younger age and prefer to live in big cities.
Wang said 75% of the new generation left their hometown before they were 20 years old, and more than 70% expect to settle down in big cities.
The floating population includes not only migrant workers but also their spouse and children.
According to commission figures, employment of the floating population is relatively stable and their income has increased. The manufacturing industry used to be their main employment domain but the new generation mainly work in private enterprises or run their own business.
"Unbalanced regional development has largely caused the immigration of Chinese people," Wang said. "Public service disparity still exists between the registered population and floating population."
Compared to the previous generation of people who moved, the new one safeguards their rights and exercises their political rights.
"The new generation has a greater desire to mix into city life instead of returning to their hometown after making money," Wang said.
He suggested that relevant departments and social organizations consider positive policies to help the floating population. More publicity is needed about public services available to them, as some are not aware due to having a relatively low level of education, Wang said.
According to Wang, health authorities are carrying out a survey on basic public services for the floating population and will look to make improvements, especially for vulnerable groups such as women and children.
