Household Registration System (Hukou)

The Household Registration System, known as Hukou, is a Chinese government register that records individuals' household information, such as where they live, their family members, and their social benefits. It classifies citizens as either rural or urban residents and ties access to services like education, healthcare, and housing to their registered location. This system influences people's mobility, as changing one's Hukou can be complicated, often limiting rural residents from accessing urban resources and opportunities. Overall, Hukou serves as a tool for government planning and resource allocation, but it also creates social divides based on registration status.