Minimum Wages in China

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvii

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2. Minimum Wages in China: Overview and Key Findings

   • Li Shi, Carl Lin

   Pages 1-12

3. Evolution and Effects Assessment of China’s Minimum Wage Policy

   • Xia Wang, Hainan Su

   Pages 13-38

4. Minimum Wages in China: Standard and Implementation

   • Yang Du, Peng Jia

   Pages 39-70

5. Minimum Wages and Employment in China

   • Tony Fang, Carl Lin

   Pages 71-112

6. Impacts of Minimum Wages on Gender Wage Gaps in Urban China

   • Li Shi, Xinxin Ma

   Pages 113-144

7. The Impact of Minimum Wages on Migrant Workers’ Wages

   • Juan Yang, Morley Gunderson, Li Shi

   Pages 145-164

8. The Effects of the Minimum Wage on Earnings Inequality: Evidence from China

   • Carl Lin, Myeong-Su Yun

   Pages 165-195

9. Effects of Minimum Wage Regulations on Wage Growth and Distribution in China

   • Li Shi, Haiyuan Wan

   Pages 197-221

10. Compliance with Legal Minimum Wages and Overtime Pay in China, Effects Across the Distribution of Wages

    • Linxiang Ye, Tim Gindling, Li Shi

    Pages 223-257

11. Estimating the Effect of Minimum Wages on Firm Profitability in China

    • Quheng Deng

    Pages 259-279

12. How Does the Minimum Wage Affect Firm Investments in Fixed and Human Capital? Evidence from China

    • Tobias Haepp, Carl Lin

    Pages 281-313

13. Regional Variation of the Minimum Wages in China

    • Chunbing Xing, Jianwei Xu

    Pages 315-345

14. Minimum Wage Competition Between Local Governments in China

    • Ravi Kanbur, Yanan Li, Carl Lin

    Pages 347-369

15. Minimum Wage Effects on Employment and Working Time of Chinese Workers

    • Wenkai Sun, Xianghong Wang, Xiaoxi Zhang

    Pages 371-392

This book considers the positive and negative impacts of the minimum wage policy in China. Since China enacted its first minimum wage law in 1994, the magnitude and frequency of changes in the minimum wage have been substantial, both over time and across jurisdictions. The results from China’s experience show that rapidly increasing minimum wages have helped increase average wages and reduce the gender wage gap, income inequality, and poverty. However, the fast-rising minimum wage has also resulted in the loss of employment for young adults, women, low-skilled workers, and migrant workers. Additionally, higher minimum wages have a negative impact on firm profitability and adverse effects on firm’s human capital investment. In summary, the Chinese minimum wage policy has shown both positive and negative impacts on the affected workers. Through unpacking these findings, the book highlights the importance of rigorous research to inform evidence-based policymaking and provides lessons forother transitional and developing economies.

• Income Inequality
• Chinese Economy
• Chinese Middle Class
• Governance
• Chinese New Normal

• Zhejiang Universityy, Zhejiang, China

  Shi Li

• Bucknell University, Lewisburg, USA

  Carl Lin

Li Shi is Professor of Economics in the School of Public Affairs at Zhejiang University, China. 

Carl Lin is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, USA.

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