Household registration, employment status and health: Their impact on the employment quality of elderly migrant workers in China

According to the Seventh National Population Census, individuals aged 65 and older accounted for 13.5 percent of China’s population in 2020, signifying the nation’s transition into a deeply aging society. With urbanization and labor market restructuring, understanding the characteristics and employment quality of elderly migrant workers is crucial. This study uses the 2018 China Migrant Population Dynamic Monitoring Survey to analyze individual traits, mobility patterns, health and employment dimensions of this group. It develops an Employment Quality Index and explores factors influencing employment quality. Results indicate that this population—predominantly young-old males with low education levels from agricultural households—is concentrated in low-end industries with long hours and low wages. Their employment quality is significantly influenced by household registration, employment status, and health, all of which have been verified through robustness tests. Additionally, significant regional disparities were observed. These findings have implications for optimizing elderly human resources and promoting active aging and inclusive urbanization.