Social stratification in migrant-concentrated communities in China: Findings from a five-city study of migration and urban poverty

Based on the data from a recently conducted five-city study of migration and urban poverty in China, this paper examines the patterns of integration/segregation and social stratification of migrants in the host communities. Going beyond the traditional rural/urban dichotomy, this paper pays special attention to the structure of the host communities (neighborhood committees and village committees). Migrants in the two types of communities show considerable different patterns of settlement. Although locals are normally better off, considerable differences in living conditions between the locals and migrants in these two types of communities can be clearly observed. Income and welfare inequality are also analyzed. The paper demonstrates that the migrant-concentrated communities in Chinese cities have been segregated from the mainstream communities. In some segregated communities, locals and migrants become similar to certain extent. Urban poor are joined by the migrants who are also disadvantageous in the society.