Impact of Migration on Aging: A Case Study of Shihezi City, China

Yun Zhou, Peking University

Shihezi City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in West China was built by young migrants in 1950s. Today, the first generation of the migrants is in their 70s and 80s and their children are also ready to be considered as the elderly. Because of the background of the earlier migrants, we find the population structure of Shihezi City is old. The older population there today is less likely to be influenced by traditional culture. They are more open to the new style of old-age care and children are not considered as the only support for their old age. Thus, migration has a negative impact on population structure but a positive influence on attitude and practice of old-age care in Shihezi City, a special city in China.