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Socioeconomic Driving Forces of International Migration

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  • Wesselbaum Dennis

    (University of Otago, Department of Economics, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand)

Abstract

This paper makes a contribution to the literature on the driving forces of international migration. In contrast to the existing literature we consider the effect of socioeconomic variables (population dynamics, education and health, and openness) on migration flows. Especially the effects of openness of a society have not received much attention in the scientific debate.We use a panel data set of bilateral migration flows between 16 destination and 198 origin countries over the time span from 1980 to 2015. Most importantly, we find that our socioeconomic variables significantly affect the migration decision. Including socioeconomic variables does affect the size of the effects of the commonly used variables in the literature.Further, we find robust evidence that the socioeconomic variables at hand have non-linear effects on migration. For example, we find that the effect of human capital on migration follows an inverted U-shaped pattern.

Suggested Citation

  • Wesselbaum Dennis, 2017. "Socioeconomic Driving Forces of International Migration," Journal of Globalization and Development, De Gruyter, vol. 8(2), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:globdv:v:8:y:2018:i:2:p:17:n:2
    DOI: 10.1515/jgd-2017-0017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Francesc Ortega & Giovanni Peri, 2009. "The Causes and Effects of International Migrations: Evidence from OECD Countries 1980-2005," NBER Working Papers 14833, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Michel Beine & Christopher Parsons, 2015. "Climatic Factors as Determinants of International Migration," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 117(2), pages 723-767, April.
    3. Timothy J. Hatton & Jeffrey G. Williamson, 2003. "Demographic and Economic Pressure on Emigration out of Africa," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 105(3), pages 465-486, September.
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    6. Jasmin Gröschl & Thomas Steinwachs, 2017. "Do Natural Hazards Cause International Migration?," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 63(4), pages 445-480.
    7. Ortega, Francesc & Peri, Giovanni, 2009. "The Causes and Effects of International Labor Mobility: Evidence from OECD Countries 1980-2005," MPRA Paper 19183, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    9. Francesc Ortega & Giovanni Peri, 2009. "The Causes and Effects of International Migrations: Evidence from OECD Countries 1980-2005," NBER Working Papers 14833, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    10. Andreas Backhaus & Inmaculada Martinez-Zarzoso & Chris Muris, 2015. "Do climate variations explain bilateral migration? A gravity model analysis," IZA Journal of Migration and Development, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 4(1), pages 1-15, December.
    11. Cattaneo, Cristina & Peri, Giovanni, 2016. "The migration response to increasing temperatures," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 127-146.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education; International Migration; Population;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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