The term "migrant workers" in China refers to workers from China's less developed (mostly rural) areas who go to work in the more prosperous coastal regions, such as Guangdong and Fujian Provinces. China's vast rural areas have provided cheap labor for the country's industrialization drive. Migrant workers mainly work in the service sector, such as industry, construction, commercial and restaurant sectors.

The number of migrant workers increased in 1984 and soared at the end of 1990s and the early 21st century along with China's economic growth. According to State statistics, the number of migrant workers in China is estimated at 200 million in 2007.

China has been improving rules and laws to cope with the new changes and safeguard migrant workers' rights, ensuring them the same wages and benefits in term of their children's education, public health and housing as citizens.