Farmers face a long road into cities
By Chen Xiwen (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-10-25 09:55
Statistics show that the number of rural labourers working in non-agricultural
industries was 21.82 million in 1978 and 204.12 million in 2005. During the same
period, the number of labourers engaged in agriculture increased from 284.56
million to 299.76 million as well. The urban population, including
farmers-turned- workers and their family members who live in cities for more
than six months, was 562.12 million, accounting for 43 per cent of the total
population in 2005.
But calculated by their permanent residence registration, the rural
population was still 949.08 million and the urbanization rate was only 27.4 per
cent - just over three-fifths of the figure calculated according to their actual
residence.
All these data show that the transfer of rural labour is still facing severe
challenges. It should be fully recognized to better understand the hardship of
China's urbanization.
There will always be hope ahead. Two decades ago, it could not be imagined
that hundreds of millions of farmers would be working in cities. As the country
deepens reform and steps up development, problems will be solved one by one.
And when they are, the concept of "farmers-turned-workers" will finally fade
from history.
The author is the deputy office chief of the central government's Central
Leading Group of Financial Work.
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