Administrative level, city tier, and air quality: contextual determinants of hukou conversion for migrants in China

Abstract Hukou reform and relevant policies are being implemented in current China, but the response of migrants to hukou conversion destinations falls short expectation. It is significant understand how contextual factors destination cities affect migrants’ willingness conversion. Considering administrative dimension, socio-economic environmental this study focuses on with settlement intention examines impact level, city tier, air quality their conversion, using questionnaire data collected 334 2017. found that have a strong incentive obtain local high levels tiers northeast, east, middle China. This effect increasingly for from southwest northeast While lower tiers, less willing destination. Air has limited But role varies among different regions. These findings support both protection economic development important promote urbanization