Using data from a survey conducted on the poor in Harbin, this paper compares the situation of young and middle aged poor with that of their parents, and the situation of middle aged and elderly poor with their children. Results show that among the parents of young and middle aged poor, 55 6% are also poor; and that among the children of middle aged and elderly poor, 65% are also poor, which means there is significant intergenerational transmission of poverty among the urban poor. An important feature of the intergenerational transmission of poverty is that the educational level of young and middle aged poor and that of their parents are homogeneous to a large degree, as are the occupations of middle aged and elderly poor and those of their children. It can be said that the homogeneity in educational level and occupation of the urban poor and their parents and children is an important factor leading to the intergenerational transmission of poverty.
