Health service disparity, push-pull effect, and elderly migration in ageing China

Supported by the national population census and 1% population sample survey data, the paper provides the first attempt to delve into the spatial distribution of internal migration of older adults in ageing China and the influence of health service disparities. It reveals that the main direction of elderly migration is from the central and western regions to the eastern region between 2000 and 2005 while presenting a reversal trend after 2005. A push-pull analytical framework has been proposed guiding three research hypotheses. Results from a Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood (PPML) gravity model have indicated that the quantity and quality of health services have push and pull effects on elderly migration and revealed two moderating mechanisms further, i.e., the family need effect and the cost effect by regional economic development. The paper's findings provide supportive evidence for equalising health services in the new-type urbanisation stage of China.