This study investigates the impact of social exclusion and identity on rural migrant workers' willingness to return home in China. Using data from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey, the findings reveal a significant positive effect of social exclusion on the willingness to return, even after addressing endogeneity concerns. Identity acts as a partial mediating factor in this relationship. The impact of social exclusion is more pronounced among workers in western and northeastern regions, older workers, lower-income workers, and those with limited intra-provincial mobility. The study suggests promoting a positive image of migrant workers and improving their quality of life to alleviate social exclusion and strengthen their urban identity.
