Objective  To explore the difference in the utilization of basic public health service between the registered and migrant population and its impact factors.

  Methods  Multi-stage stratified probability proportionate to size sampling was adopted and a total of 16 000 registered residents and 71 000 migrant residents were recruited in 31 provincial areas across China for a questionnaire survey. Univariate analysis and generalized linear mixed model were utilized in data analyses.

  Results  Compared to those in migrant population, the awareness rate of health recording for residents (75.3% vs. 52.3%) and the completion rate of individual health record (46.2% vs. 19.6%) were significantly higher among the registered population (both P < 0.01) and the difference in the completion rate was significant at provincial level. The utilization rate of health education service was relatively high in both the registered population (95.8%) and in the migrant population (89.6%). In contrast to those of the registered population, lower proportion of migrant population (81.4% vs. 88.7%) received health education via radio, television and bulletin boards, but higher proportion via short messages and WeChat (56.6% vs. 52.8%), with significant differences (both P < 0.01). For the migrant population, gender, age, educational level, duration of current residing, medical insurance, and employment were microcosmic influential factors of public health service utilization; while, economic development and the level of health resources allocation of the current residential region are macro impact factors.

  Conclusion  There is still a huge gap in basic public health service utilization between registered and migrant population from a national perspective. Endeavors in both the macro and micro aspects are needed to improve the utilization of basic public health service in migrant populations.