Spatial distribution, evolution and driving force of floating population of Chongqing Municipality in 2000–2010

Abstract

This paper studies the spatial distribution, evolution and driving force behind the floating population in Chongqing Municipality from 2000 to 2010. The research is based on the data of the fifth and sixth population censuses and the temporary resident censuses for those same years. The paper will first introduce characteristics of Chongqing's decline and rise in population from 1996 to 2010. Chongqing had continually been in the mode of population outflow but this trend stopped in 2007. Second, the author analyzes the spatial divergence evolution of floating population (FP) among Chongqing's districts and counties from 2000 to 2010. The performance in population absorption of four planning policy areas was studied and the outcome shows that many peripheral districts and counties transferred from population inflow to outflow, especially those with preferential policies. Both the population and economy proportions of the One Hour Circle area and the regional centers shrunk from 2000 to 2010. Third, the correlation between FP distribution and economic and income factors confirmed, with some notable exceptions, the rule that people tend to migrate towards these areas with a booming economy, preferential policies and higher income. In short, after having been designated as a municipality directly under the Central Government and having 13 years of strong economic development, Chongqing municipality is still losing its labor force rather than absorbing it. The factors determining the floating population's location are not institutional, but economic, such as industrial development and transportation conditions. Differing from other developed cities in east China, the inflow population of Chongqing is mainly concentrated in the city proper. The effect of the spatial policies in Chongqing is not very evident, not that there is something wrong with the spatial policies, but highlighting the need for more cooperation between spatial and non-spatial policies.