文档介绍：Journal of D::velgrnent Economics 2 (1975) 165-137. Q North-Holland pany
RURAL-URBAN RIIGRATIOlV, URBAN UNEMPLOYMENT AND
UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND JOB-SEARCH ACTIVITY IN LDCs*
Gary S. FIELDS
Xde University, New Haven, Corm., .
Zevised version received September 1974
This paper analyzes unemployment and underemployment in LDCs within a quantity adjust-
ment framework. Four extensions of the Harris-Todaro model are made, including allowances
for more generalized job-search behavior, an urban traditional sector, preferential hiring by
educational level, and labor turnover considerations. The result of these modifications is a
much lower predicted unemployment rate, which accords more closely with actual observations.
Some additional policy implications deriving from the analysis are noted.
In recent years, the urban areas in less developed countries bavc grown
very rapidly. Between 1950 and 1960, urban areas in Africa grew by 69 percent,
in Latin America by 67 percent, and in Asia by 51 percent, while rural areas
grew by only 20 percent over the same period.’ Since biological growth rates
rarely exceed 3 percent per annum, much of the urban growth is due to rural-
urban migration.
There is a growing ;;onsensus on a number of aspects of the migration
question. Both economists2 and noneconomists agree that rural-urban
migration can be explained primarily by economic factors: the ‘push’ from
agriculture and the ‘pull’ of relatively high urban wages. The ‘bright lights of
the city’ and other cultural explanations are given relatively little la;eight in the
*Portions of this research were financed by funds provided by the United States Ag,ency
for International Development under contract CSD-2492. However, the views expressed in
paper do not necessarily reflect those of AID.
Throughout this paper, ‘unemployment’ will refer to those who are actively seeking work
but do not have any;