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Homeownership and Subjective Well-Being in China: Evidence from Gender and Urban–Rural Differences Using CFPS Data


Authors : Okeke Benita Njideka

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3shav5zp

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/2672kuxs

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul926

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Housing ownership has become an important socioeconomic asset that may influence not only household wealth but also psychological well-being. This study examines the relationship between urban housing ownership and residents’ subjective well-being in China, with particular attention to gender and rural–urban disparities. Using nationally representative data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study analyzes 31,368 respondents aged 16–98 years. Ordered logistic regression models were employed to estimate the association between homeownership and life satisfaction while controlling for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The results indicate that homeownership is positively associated with higher life satisfaction among Chinese residents. However, the magnitude of this relationship differs across social groups, with stronger positive associations observed among men compared with women and variations between rural and urban residents. These findings suggest that housing ownership functions beyond a financial asset by providing psychological security, social recognition, and residential stability. This study contributes to the growing literature on housing and well-being by demonstrating how housing assets influence subjective outcomes within China’s rapidly changing socioeconomic environment.

Keywords : Homeownership; Subjective Well-Being; Life Satisfaction; Gender and Urban–Rural Disparities.

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Housing ownership has become an important socioeconomic asset that may influence not only household wealth but also psychological well-being. This study examines the relationship between urban housing ownership and residents’ subjective well-being in China, with particular attention to gender and rural–urban disparities. Using nationally representative data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study analyzes 31,368 respondents aged 16–98 years. Ordered logistic regression models were employed to estimate the association between homeownership and life satisfaction while controlling for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The results indicate that homeownership is positively associated with higher life satisfaction among Chinese residents. However, the magnitude of this relationship differs across social groups, with stronger positive associations observed among men compared with women and variations between rural and urban residents. These findings suggest that housing ownership functions beyond a financial asset by providing psychological security, social recognition, and residential stability. This study contributes to the growing literature on housing and well-being by demonstrating how housing assets influence subjective outcomes within China’s rapidly changing socioeconomic environment.

Keywords : Homeownership; Subjective Well-Being; Life Satisfaction; Gender and Urban–Rural Disparities.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - August - 2026

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