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on Economics of Human Migration |
| By: | Juraeva, Feruza; Egamberdiev, Bekhzod; Dolijonova, Zarnigor |
| Abstract: | Climate change is increasingly a major driver of economic and environmental difficulties, creating more and more incentives for people to move; the literature has already analysed the environmental degradation and migration relationships. Despite many environmental problems, such as high levels of air pollution, rising temperatures, and water scarcity, empirical evidence from Central Asia and the Caucasus remains limited. The study empirically analyses the relationships between environmental changes and migration. It develops a multidimensional index using structural equation modelling (SEM) based on the fourth round of the Life in Transition Survey. The index is derived from the latent variables such as environmental concern, perceived environmental stress, and willingness to prevent environmental degradation through a two-step latent variable modelling approach. We also estimate additional latent variables, such as life satisfaction, institutional trust, economic insecurity, and migration intentions, are also estimated using maximum likelihood. Regression results confirm that subjective environmental degradation raises migration intentions in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, while no statistically significant relationship is found in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, Migration, Structural Equation Modeling, Central Asia, Caucasus, Environmental Perception |
| Date: | 2026 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:344301 |
| By: | Francesco Amodio (McGill University, BREAD, CEPR and IGC.); Elia Benveniste (European Bank for Reconstruction and Developmet); Mario F. Carillo (Departament of Applied Economics, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain & IPEG); Marc Riudavets-Barcons (Universitat de Girona) |
| Abstract: | We show that granting migrants legal status enables climate adaptation by making extreme heat less dangerous. We study how Spain’s 2005 regularization of about 600, 000 undocumented migrants affected heat-related hospitalizations of working-age individuals, mostly heatstrokes from strenuous work. A triple-difference design exploits the reform’s timing, cross-provincial variation in pre-reform undocumented shares, and within-province heat shocks. Post-reform, an additional day above 35°C became 3.3 percentage points less likely to cause a heat-related hospitalization in exposed provinces, a 9.4% decline from the pre-reform mean. Migrants reallocated away from agriculture, the most heat-exposed sector. Labor market institutions can facilitate climate adaptation. |
| Keywords: | amnesty programs, climate adaptation, working conditions, extreme heat. |
| Date: | 2026–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uab:wprdea:wpdea2610 |
| By: | Andrea Bernini; Navid Sabet |
| Abstract: | How does immigrant legalization reshape the labor market? Combining administrative records on all applicants to the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) with county-level occupational data, we show that IRCA reduced Hispanic farm employment in more exposed counties. On the worker side, the decline fell on farm laborers, while craft and managerial jobs gained employment share. On the farm side, high-exposure counties employed fewer hired workers at higher labor expenses per worker, without a decline in farm sales. The results suggest that the concentration of Hispanic workers in agriculture partly reflected legal barriers to employment in other sectors. |
| Keywords: | immigration, legalization, labor markets, agriculture, farm labor |
| JEL: | J43 Q12 J61 J68 |
| Date: | 2026 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_13108 |
| By: | Constant, Amelie F. |
| Abstract: | Using population-wide Norwegian registers (2000-2023), we examine emigration, continued residence abroad, return, and renewed emigration among 4.3 million native Norwegians (74.4 million person-years). Estimating annual transitions through 2022, we compare each movement with its forgone alternative, allowing recent location history to shape the next choice. This design identifies selection dynamics that conventional two-state models obscure. Higher education is associated with both emigration and return, indicating human capital circulation. By contrast, income selection is asymmetric, as below-average incomes are associated with mobility in both directions, top earners are positively associated with emigration after persistent residence in Norway, and top potential income is associated with non-return. Distinctly, wealth is associated with higher emigration and return, signaling circularity. Employment is associated with return after persistent foreign residence but with non-return after recent departure. Native emigration from affluent welfare states with low-mobility barriers is a dynamic sequence, not a simple one-time exit. |
| Keywords: | International migration, Selection in emigration and return, repeat migration, Geographic sorting, Choice models, Transition probabilities, Income distributions |
| JEL: | F22 J61 J24 C25 J31 |
| Date: | 2026 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1840 |
| By: | Nicodemo de Vito (University of Salerno and Bocconi University); Fausto Galli (University of Salerno); Giuseppe Russo (University of Salerno, CSEF and GLO); Ružica Savcic (University of Cyprus); Paolo Solimene (University of Rotterdam and Tinbergen Institute) |
| Abstract: | Using panel data from the German SOEP (2008–2019), we transform the Ethnosizer (Constant et al., 2009) from a cross-sectional measure of immigrant identity into a dynamic tool that tracks identity shifts over time. Methodologically, we estimate a simultaneous two-equation dynamic binary-response model with correlated random effects, which allows us to recover state dependence and transition probabilities between the identity states defined by Berry (1980). Our results show that commitments to destination and origin cultures are highly persistent once formed—yet they are not irreversible. Transitions do occur and, among them, we observe a phenomenon of "integration reversal", whereby identity moves from previously integrated positions to more separated ones. This reversibility of the integration process demonstrates that integration is not a final destination, but a path-dependent process shaped by persistence, contextual shocks, and individual experiences. We complement the empirical analysis with a theoretical model that provides a foundation for the mechanisms underlying identity revision and integration reversal. |
| Keywords: | Identity formation, immigration, acculturation, cultural transmission. |
| JEL: | D91 F22 J15 K37 Z13 |
| Date: | 2026–10–17 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sef:csefwp:799 |
| By: | Zuchowski, David; Maciel, Mateus |
| Abstract: | The relationship between immigration and crime is one of the most salient issues in public discourse. Despite widespread public concern, most studies find no evidence that immigration increases crime rates in host countries. This article reviews recent empirical evidence on the relationship between immigration and crime. Rather than offering an exhaustive survey, it focuses on recent and seminal contributions, highlighting emerging trends and research frontiers. In particular, the article discusses how immigration policies can mediate the relationship between immigration and crime. It also discusses research on crimes against immigrants, a topic that has attracted increasing scholarly interest but remains largely neglected in public discourse. Finally, given the substantial gap between public perception and the empirical evidence, the article reviews research on immigration and crime perception. |
| Keywords: | Immigration, Refugees, Crime, Immigration policy, Hate crime |
| JEL: | F22 J15 J61 K37 K42 |
| Date: | 2026 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1839 |
| By: | Ouattara, Kouakou Constant; Bastidon, Cécile; Yameogo, Nadege Desiree |
| Abstract: | This study examines how diaspora communities affect foreign direct investment flowing into Economic Community of West African States countries. It uses data on international migration to represent the size of the diaspora and estimates their savings. The analysis covers 14 countries from 2005 to 2020, using system generalized method of moments and feasible generalized least squares methods. The study finds that members of the diaspora living in Europe help bring more foreign direct investment to their home countries, while the diaspora in Asia has a smaller and sector-specific effect, helping attract foreign direct investment in extractive industries. The diaspora in North America has little impact, and migration within Africa does not significantly affect foreign direct investment. Importantly, strong home country institutions—like good governance, anti-corruption efforts, and political stability—make the positive effects of the diaspora even greater. The study also finds that former British colonies attract more foreign direct investment than former French or Portuguese colonies, likely because of stronger property rights under common law systems. Although most foreign direct investment continues to target the extractive sector, the study underscores the importance of strengthening institutions and implementing targeted policies in countries of origin. These measures can help harness the potential of diaspora networks to boost investment, particularly in sectors beyond natural resources that can drive structural transformation and quality jobs creation. |
| Date: | 2026–11–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:11495 |