Does air pollution induce international migration? New evidence from Chinese residents

Severe air pollution affects public health and induces exodus of human capital, which is creating a growing concern in developing countries. While air pollution–induced “brain drain” has received much research interest, its causality and the underlying motivations of air pollution–driven migrants are poorly understood. This paper combines high-frequency monitoring data and detailed survey data from the 2015 China Household Finance Survey to investigate the short-term impact of air pollution on Chinese residents' international migration intentions. The regression analysis and instrumental variable strategy demonstrate that exogenous daily fluctuations in air pollution increase Chinese residents' desire to migrate internationally. Richer and more educated residents are keener to migrate abroad, and residents' dissatisfaction with local environmental governance can be a trigger for migration intention. These findings are alarming for Chinese policymakers in light of China's aim to protect the public's health while remaining a global center of manufacturing and innovation.