Rural Depopulation in China: A Comparative Perspective

Modernization of Chinese society in recent three decades witnessed significant retreat of primary industry and growth of secondary and tertiary industries. The result of rapid urbanization has been accompanied with rapid rural depopulation, context of which is currently labeled by intertwining of many correlation factors. The purpose of this article is to give a general discourse of depopulation in China from comparative perspective based on literature review, long term experience and observation, and two times of fieldwork in June 2007 and June 2010. Rural depopulation can be perceived as a social problem and as a reason of other social problems, affecting sustainable socio-economic development. In turn, rural depopulation and relevant policy-making are also interplaying, making the issue more irreversible. The situation in countryside China is still in the track towards deterioration and emergent action is required if such a process is to be interfered.