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Junsen Zhang

School of Economics, Zhejiang University, China, and IZA, Germany

IZA World of Labor role

Author, Former Editor

Current position

Distinguished Professor, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China

Research interest

Labor economics, demography, family, and gender

Website

https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/eco/staff/jszhang/jzhang.htm

Positions/functions as a policy advisor

Fellow of Econometric Society

Qualifications

PhD Economics, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada

Selected publications

  • "Rationed Fertility: Treatment Effect Heterogeneity in the Child Quantity–Quality Tradeoff." Journal of Political Economy, Forthcoming (with R. Guo, J. Yi, and N. Zhang).

  • "Altruism, Favoritism, and Guilt in the Allocation of Family Resources: Sophie's Choice in Mao's Mass Send Down Movement." Journal of Political Economy 118 (2010): 1–38 (with H. Li, M. Rosenzweig).

  • "Do Population Control Policies Induce More Human Capital Investment? Twins, Birthweight, and China's 'One Child' Policy." Review of Economic Studies 76 (2009): 1149–1174 (with M. Rosenzweig).

  • "The Identification of Unobservable Independent and Spousal Leisure." Journal of Political Economy 109 (2001): 191–202 (with Y. Fong).

  • "Dowry and Wife's Welfare: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis." Journal of Political Economy 107 (1999): 786–808 (with W. Chan).

article(s)

  • The Chinese labor market, 2000–2024 Updated

    The world’s second largest economy has boomed, but a rapidly aging labor force presents substantial challenges

    Junsen ZhangJia Wu, August 2025
    China experienced significant economic progress over the past few decades, with an annual average GDP growth of approximately 8.6%. Population expansion has certainly been a contributing factor, but that is now changing as China rapidly ages. Rural migrants are set to play a key role in compensating for future labor shortages. However, they still face significant barriers to live in cities permanently, resulting in surging waves of return migration in recent years. Additionally, China faces a low fertility rate of 1.01 births per woman, although the population control policy has been relaxed. Millions of people are employed in the food delivery and courier industry, yet with little social benefit and insurance, which poses potential challenges for China’s labor market stability.
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