School Enrollment and Graduation Rates in Western China Based on the 2000 Census

    Abstract:  This paper examines the 2000 Chinese Census data for educational enrollment and graduation of Western Chinese youth aged 10–18. Analysis is done on a regional, provincial, and individual level and comparisons are offered between Western and Eastern China. Comparisons are also made with the 1990 Census in order to explore changes over the decade of the 1990s. We find a substantial improvement in educational attainment rates for all groups and at all levels over the decade. School initiations are very high in every province. The aggregate gender gap has also narrowed significantly over this period. Individual level analysis shows that boys are still more likely to start school, graduate from primary school and start middle school. There is no significant gender gap when it comes to finishing middle school or starting high school.
    Keywords:  Educational attainment, rural/urban differentials, gender gap, in-school rate, graduation rate
    (in Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies,Volume 5, Issue 2, pages 147-161,2007 )