The Influence of Air Pollution on Older Migrants’ Intentions To Settle in the Destination Cities in China

The rapid increase in the number of older migrants in China has highlighted the need for a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing their settlement intentions. However, previous research on older migrants’ settlement intention in China tends to neglect the role of air pollution. Using data from the 2017 and 2018 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS), this study examines whether the severity of air pollution affects older migrants’ intentions to settle in the destination city. The research presents two contributions to the literature. First, we provide the first systematic evidence on how air pollution shapes older migrants’ settlement decisions in host cities. Second, in response to the disparities in health status and adaptive capacities observed between older migrants and working-age groups, we develop age-specific policies designed to address their elevated vulnerability profiles. Findings demonstrate that urban air pollution adversely impacts older migrants’ settlement intentions, with each one-unit rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI) reducing their Likelihood of permanent settlement by 0.1% points. Additionally, our research reveals that older migrants with agricultural hukou status, higher educational attainment, lower income, longer migration duration, and less exposure to air pollution in their hometowns are more vulnerable to air pollution’s negative impacts.