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Cultural change and the migration choice

Author

Listed:
  • Mauro Lanati

    (Migration Policy Centre (EUI), Robert Schuman Centre of Advanced Studies (EUI))

  • Alessandra Venturini

    (University of Torino)

Abstract

Cultural differences play an important role in shaping migration patterns. The conventional proxies for cross country cultural differences, such as common language; ethnicity; genetic traits; or religion, implicitly assume that cultural proximity between two countries is constant over time and symmetric. This is far from realistic. This paper proposes a gravity model for international migration which explicitly allows for the time varying and asymmetric dimensions of cultural proximity. In accordance with Disdier, Tai, Fontagné, Mayer (Rev World Econ, 145(4):575–595, 2010) we assume that the evolution of bilateral cultural affinity over time is reflected in the intensity of bilateral trade in cultural goods. The empirical framework includes a comprehensive set of high dimensional fixed effects which enable identification of the impact of cultural proximity on migration over and beyond the effect of pre-existing cultural and historical ties. The results are robust across different econometric techniques and suggest that positive changes in cultural relationships over time foster bilateral migration.

Suggested Citation

  • Mauro Lanati & Alessandra Venturini, 2021. "Cultural change and the migration choice," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 157(4), pages 799-852, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:weltar:v:157:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s10290-021-00418-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10290-021-00418-1
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    2. Salvatore Carrozzo & Alessandra Venturini & Elisabetta Lodigiani, 2024. "Does migrants’ consumption of cultural goods impact on their economic integration? Disclosing the culture-to-market pathway," Discussion Papers 69, Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI).
    3. Doan, Ngoc Thang, 2023. "Cultural proximity and global value chains," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 106-120.
    4. Gildas Kadoukpè Magbondé, 2021. "How Sub-Saharan African Countries Students Choose Where to Study Abroad: The Case of Benin," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(1), pages 278-287.
    5. Salvatore Carrozzo & Alessandra Venturini & Elisabetta Lodigiani, 2024. "Does migrants’ consumption of cultural goods impact on their economic integration? Disclosing the culture-to-market pathway," Discussion Papers 69, Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Migration; Trade in cultural goods; Gravity model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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