From tariffs to transitions: How trade openness shapes occupational mobility in China

Abstract This paper investigates how trade liberalization influences intergenerational occupational mobility in China. Using a sample of Chinese household‐level data, we find that liberalization in intermediate inputs significantly enhances mobility, especially upward mobility, whereas liberalization in final goods has no notable effect. The impact is stronger among rural households and those in central China. Further analysis suggests that education, cross‐industry labor transfer, and population migration are key mechanisms. The findings provide evidence that trade liberalization in developing economies can foster social mobility and inform policies promoting equitable labor opportunities.