Ethnic disparities in labor market outcomes among migrant populations in China: a study of thirteen minority groups and the Han

Abstract Using pooled data from the 2013–2017 National Migrant Dynamics Monitoring Survey, this study examines whether and how migrants from 13 large ethnic minority groups are disadvantaged in the labor market relative to Han migrants. Results show that except for the sizable ethnic penalty paid by Uyghurs, minority-majority differences in monthly income are either small or not statistically significant. In the attainment of professional and managerial jobs, Hui and Uyghur migrants are disadvantaged relative to the Han, while others show an advantage over or no difference from the Han migrants. Further analysis shows that popular inter-provincial destinations tend to be more beneficial for minority migrants than intra-provincial destinations in terms of monthly income, but more disadvantaged in terms of occupational attainment. Moreover, in most cases, the moderating effect of education on the relationship between ethnicity and labor market outcomes is either negative or insignificant.