Higher education expansion and the rural–urban gap in secondary schooling and labor outcomes: Evidence from China’s 1999 reform

Key Points

• Higher education expansion decreased the rural-urban gap in secondary schooling, favoring urban areas.
• In urban regions, labor outcomes improved, but rural areas continued to lag behind significantly.
• Analysis of data from China’s 1999 education reform highlights dual impacts on schooling and labor.
• Findings suggest educational policies need to address ongoing rural-urban disparities post-reform.