This paper analyses the prevalence of social exclusion experienced by older rural residents in China and investigates the impact of work and residence history on rural residents' social exclusion in later life. Data are from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Logistic regression models are used. Results show that rural males with non-agricultural work experience are less likely to experience exclusion from social participation, financial products and common consumer goods and report perceived exclusion than those who have only engaged in agricultural work over their life course. However, no significant associations between work history and the five domains of social exclusion were found among rural females. The change in place of residence itself leads to higher levels of perceived exclusion for both males and females. Policymakers should focus on promoting social participation and the psychological health for return migrants, particular for rural females.
Keywords: changes in place of residence; gender; migration; quantitative methods; rural return migrants; work experience.