Would Smog Lead to Outflow of Labor Force? Empirical Evidence from China

This study examines the impact of air pollution on labor outflow and labor migration from the perspective of individual and regional heterogeneity in China. The empirical evidence shows that air pollution has a significant impact on labor outflow and labor with higher education levels, of male gender, and belonging to a younger cohort are more sensitive toward air pollution and hence more inclined to migrate. The labor force from cities and rural areas, as well as from eastern and central China, tends to migrate due to the negative impact of air pollution. The labor force in areas of north of the Huai River is more likely to migrate due to the severe air pollution caused mainly by heating systems in the winter.