Export expansion and homeownership in China: Evidence from the China Household Finance Survey

Abstract Despite the fairly recent start of housing reform since the late 1990s, China has transformed rapidly from a country dominated by public rents to a country with one of the highest homeownership rates. As China has experienced tremendous international trade growth during this period, this paper investigates whether and how export expansion may affect homeownership at the county level, combining China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) with an instrument of regional export. It is found that export expansion has a negative impact on homeownership and a positive effect on housing space per resident. In addition, these impacts are more significant among households with lower income, younger ages, employed status, and local hukou. Empirical evidence also implies that income inequality, the influx of migrants, and housing affordability are the main channels through which export expansion may affect homeownership.