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on Economics of Human Migration |
| By: | Timothy J. Hatton |
| Abstract: | This chapter focuses on economic and demographic aspects of intercontinental migration. The coverage is selective, with a particular focus on emigration from Europe to the ‘New World’ in the first globalisation era. This is where most of the rich quantitative historical literature has concentrated, often employing the methodology that has been used to analyse more modern data. The first section reviews the motivations behind, and determinants of, the major historical migration flows. This is followed by an outline of migrant selectivity or self-selection—how the composition of migrants compares with that of the source population. I then turn to aspects of migrant integration in destination countries with a focus on intermarriage between immigrants and the native-born and on migrant fertility. The final section examines if and how dramatic changes in the world economy and the rise of immigration policies changed migration between the two eras of globalisation. This is followed by a short conclusion. |
| Date: | 2025–04 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:auu:hpaper:130 |
| By: | O'Connor, Kelsey J. (STATEC Research – National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies) |
| Abstract: | The immigrant population increased by 32 million in 37 European countries from 1990-2019. Much of this movement was internal, from east to west Europe. Although both the destination and origin countries could be affected, we find no effects on aggregate subjective well-being in either group, using country-panel and instrumental variable techniques. Immigrants, in contrast, experienced increased well-being, converted to monetary terms, in excess of £25, 000 per person. We offer more comprehensive evidence than previous studies, in terms of country and period, and by assessing the impacts on subjective well-being, which captures all of the important factors affected by immigration. |
| Keywords: | life satisfaction, migrants, emigration, immigration, subjective well-being, Europe |
| JEL: | I31 J15 F22 |
| Date: | 2025–03 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17816 |
| By: | Leonid V. Azarnert |
| Abstract: | I study the effect of educational policy in the host economy on human capital accumulation and growth. The analysis is performed in a two-country growth model with endogenous fertility. I show that providing additional free educational services for immigrant children can increase the attractiveness of migration for less skilled individuals, which can outweigh the positive effect of this policy on the acquisition of human capital. In contrast, imposing taxes on immigrants in the host country reduces low-skilled immigration flows and has the potential to promote human capital accumulation if the resulting revenues are channeled into educational subsidies. |
| Keywords: | migration, child education, fertility, human capital, growth, brain drain, brain dilution tax |
| JEL: | D30 F22 J10 J13 J24 O15 O40 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11727 |
| By: | García-Suaza, Andres; Mondragón-Mayo, Angie; Sarango-Iturralde, Alexander |
| Abstract: | The Venezuelan migration crisis has led to large-scale displacement, with over 2.5 million Venezuelans seeking refuge in Colombia. This study assesses the impact of the PEP on labor market outcomes for Venezuelan migrants. Using data from the EPM survey and a difference-in-differences methodology, the study compares preand post-migration labor conditions. Findings indicate that while PEP holders have increased access to formal ways of employment, it does not significantly mitigate occupational downgrading, as many migrants, especially those with white-collar experience, transition to blue-collar jobs. The results suggest that, although the PEP improves employment access, it does not fully address the quality mismatch between migrants' skills and available job opportunities. The findings underscore the importance of policy initiatives targeting skill development and matching migrants' qualifications with job market needs to enhance labor market integration and reduce inequality. |
| Keywords: | Migration, occupational downgrading, labor mobility, work permits |
| JEL: | F22 O15 J24 J61 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1606 |
| By: | Alessandro Ferrara (Free University, Berlin); Renee Luthra (University of Essex); Lucinda Platt (LSE) |
| Abstract: | Using a specially constructed international dataset of adult heights, we assess the extent, drivers and consequences of migrant selectivity, measured as relative height. This offers a measure of health selectivity that precedes emigration and is stable over time. Applying this measure to representative data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, we (i) evaluate whether it correlates with characteristics theoretically associated with migrant health selectivity, (ii) test the assumption that selectivity accounts for the commonly observed immigrant health advantage, and (iii) assess whether degree of selectivity sheds light on the paradox that immigrants’ health deteriorates over time since arrival. We find that while, on average, immigrants are positively selected on health and have better health on average than non-migrant Germans, greater selectivity is not associated with better health. However, more positively selected immigrants experience less deterioration in their health, whether evaluated cross-sectionally across arrival cohorts or longitudinally within individuals, helping to explain the immigrant health paradox. Overall, our results i) confirm that migrants are selected on health, ii) support theoretical expectations relating to migrant selection that higher barriers to migration increase selectivity, and iii) demonstrate that while most immigrants are healthier upon arrival, only more selected immigrants enjoy better health throughout adulthood. |
| Keywords: | migrant selectivity; healthy immigrant effect; immigrant health paradox |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:crm:wpaper:2503 |
| By: | Baumgartner, Stefanie S. (University of Fribourg); Galeotti, Fabio (CNRS, GATE); Madies, Thierry (University of Fribourg); Villeval, Marie Claire (CNRS) |
| Abstract: | Trust plays a crucial role in refugees’ integration. This study examines how social information about trust levels among peers from home and host countries affects non-Western refugees’ trust. Using a trust game, we measured experimentally trust levels among Swiss citizens, Turkish refugees, and Afghan refugees. We found that Turkish refugees exhibited higher trust levels than Afghan refugees, but no significant trust differences were found between Swiss participants and either refugee group. Turkish refugees adjusted their trust to match Swiss levels when receiving social information, but observation by compatriots reduced this effect. By contrast, Afghan refugees exhibited a more limited response to social information, except when told their behavior would be revealed, which led them to align more closely with Swiss trust levels. These findings highlight the complex impact of social information on refugee trust behavior and suggest that trust can be a social norm. |
| Keywords: | refugees, trust, social information, lab-in-the-field experiment |
| JEL: | C91 D83 D91 F22 J61 |
| Date: | 2025–04 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17822 |
| By: | Demirci, Mustafa Can; Yucel, Mustafa Eray |
| Abstract: | This paper quantitatively examines the refugee absorption/integration rates across Türkiye’s 81 provinces while considering the geographical and economic features of each of the 81 provinces. The study mainly focuses on the distribution of Syrian refugees under temporary protection in Türkiye after the 2011 Syrian Civil War and develops an array of econometric models to understand the spatial distribution of refugees. Subsequently, the over-absorbing provinces (the provinces that host more than their model-suggested ideal capacity) and under-absorbing provinces (the provinces that host less than their model-suggested ideal capacity) are highlighted along with a road map for future research venues. |
| Keywords: | Syria; Civil war; Refugee; Temporary protection; Socio-economic absorption; Turkey; Türkiye |
| JEL: | C51 I38 J15 J61 |
| Date: | 2025–04–17 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:124448 |
| By: | Klara Kantova (Institute of Economic Studies, Charles University, Prague); Tomas Havranek (Institute of Economic Studies, Charles University, Prague, Centre for Economic Policy Research, London, Meta-Research Innovation Center, Stanford); Zuzana Irsova (Institute of Economic Studies, Charles University, Prague, Anglo-American University, Prague) |
| Abstract: | This paper presents the first comprehensive meta-analysis of the elasticity of substitution between native and immigrant labor. Drawing on 1, 091 estimates from 41 studies, we examine whether immigrants and natives compete in the same labor markets, and to what extent published estimates are shaped by methodological choices and publication bias. We find strong evidence of small-study effects: less precise estimates are associated with lower elasticities, which is consistent with selective reporting. Correcting for these biases using a wide array of techniques (linear, nonlinear, and selection models) raises the mean implied elasticity from 13 to approximately 20. Model averaging techniques reveal that data features, such as experience level, wage definition, and region, explain much of the heterogeneity in reported results. Notably, the often-cited discrepancy between using log(mean wages) and mean(log wages) largely disappears once publication bias is accounted for. Our findings imply that immigrants and natives are imperfect substitutes but more substitutable than is commonly assumed. |
| Keywords: | elasticity of substitution, immigration, native labor, metaanalysis, publication bias |
| JEL: | J15 J61 C83 |
| Date: | 2025–04 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fau:wpaper:wp2025_08 |
| By: | Salvatore Carrozzo |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the effect of a temporary forced internal migration on the voting behavior in the receiving municipalities. During World War I, around 500, 00 thousand displaced nationals were resettled from the Italian government within the country and stayed in the receiving place for less than two years. Leveraging on the quasi-random relocation policy and the short stay of displaced individuals, I evaluate whether hosting a large share of forced migrants affects voting behavior in the subsequent elections. Findings indicate that an increase in the share of hosted displaced individuals corresponds to a decrease in the vote share for the Italian Popular Party (PPI), the Catholic party. This aligns with historical evidence highlighting the significant role of Catholic associations in assisting displaced people at arrival. The negative impact on the Catholic party persisted for two consecutive elections, 1919 and 1921, before dissipating in 1924. Anti-competitive behavior for public services is likely to explain the voting behavior. |
| Keywords: | displaced people, political outcomes, public spending, resettlement policies |
| JEL: | D72 H53 I38 N34 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11737 |
| By: | Korte, Kristina; Landmesser, Emma |
| Abstract: | As climate change progresses, the number of people who are being forced to leave their homes and cross borders due to environmental change is increasing. At the same time, they lack safe, orderly and regular migration pathways. Regional free movement can expand the leeway for those who are particularly affected by climate change. The African regional organisations ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) have both concluded agreements that could guarantee such free movement of persons. Their examples show the potential, but also the hurdles in implementing such regulations. In order to take advantage of these agreements in terms of climate mobility, German and European development and migration policy should do more to implement regional free movement. Furthermore, it is important to support the anchoring of climate aspects in the agreements. Cooperation between the European Union (EU) and individual African states should be questioned if it threatens to hinder the free movement of people in Africa through migration management and border security. |
| Keywords: | environmental change, climate change, loss and damagea, climate mobility, migration, free movement of persons, Africa, Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD, Global Compact on Migration, Nansen Initiative, Kampala Declaration, EU's external migration policy |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:swpcom:315533 |
| By: | Fang, Tony (Memorial University of Newfoundland); Gunderson, Morley (University of Toronto); Hartley, John (Memorial University of Newfoundland) |
| Abstract: | Using data from a largely representative survey of 801 Atlantic Canadian employers, this paper conducts regression analyses to test associations between two diversity variables and five objective and subjective measures of firm performance: revenue change and employment change in the previous three years, projected revenue change and employment change over the next three years and projected provincial economic growth/decline over the next three years. We find that firms with an immigrant CEO and/or owner are more likely to forecast revenue growth, report recent employment growth, and forecast provincial economic growth. Employers who believe that a multicultural workforce enhances creativity are more likely to report recent employment growth and more likely to forecast provincial economic growth in the medium-term. This is consistent with most national studies, which tend to show immigrant-owned companies are more likely to create jobs and firm growth (Picot and Ostrovsky, 2021). |
| Keywords: | organizational performance, multiculturalism, management diversity, immigrant-owned businesses, employer survey, Atlantic Canada |
| Date: | 2025–03 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17810 |
| By: | Abbiati, Giovanni (University of Brescia); Battistin, Erich (University of Maryland); Monti, Paola (Fondazione Rodolfo DeBenedetti); Pinotti, Paolo (Bocconi University) |
| Abstract: | We evaluate a labor market integration program that fast-tracked asylum seekers into the Italian labor market through personalized job mentoring, placement assistance, and on-the-job training. Leveraging randomized assignment across reception centers and individual-level administrative records, we find effects on employment rates of $10$ percentage points, or $30\%$ over the baseline, over a 18-month period. The program also improved job quality through increased access to fixed-term and open-ended contracts. Subsidized internships were a critical pathway to transitioning participants into standard employment. Survey data indicate that these effects reflect a net increase in employment, rather than a shift from informal to formal jobs. We also document broader benefits on socioeconomic integration, including language proficiency and social networks with native Italians. |
| Keywords: | job mentoring, labor market integration, asylum seekers, socioeconomic integration |
| JEL: | J15 D04 C90 |
| Date: | 2025–04 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17859 |