| Abstract: | Using 1982 census data for China, the authors analyze the movement of the country's labor force from the agricultural sector into the industrial and service sectors during the past 30 years. From 1952 to 1982, the agricultural labor force declined relative to other sectors, while the absolute number of agricultural workers increased and is expected to continue to increase. Three projections of agricultural labor force trends for the next 20 years are outlined. It is suggested that the development of the service sector will help to absorb the large volume of surplus labor, given the saturation of labor markets in agriculture and existing industries. |
