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Who Migrates and Why? Evidence from Italian Administrative Data

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  • Cristian Bartolucci
  • Claudia Villosio
  • Mathis Wagner

Abstract

We use 20 years of Italian administrative panel data to identify the role of ability in migration from south to north. Using a novel iterative estimation method for a switching regression model with the same worker-specific source of unobserved heterogeneity in selection and outcome equations, we find that returns to ability are lower in the north than the south. Accordingly, migrants are drawn from the lower half of the ability distribution. Higher wages and employment rates each account for around half the gains from migration. Return migration reinforces the original negative selection of migrants, consistent with migrants facing considerable uncertainty.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristian Bartolucci & Claudia Villosio & Mathis Wagner, 2018. "Who Migrates and Why? Evidence from Italian Administrative Data," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 36(2), pages 551-588.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/694616
    DOI: 10.1086/694616
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    Cited by:

    1. Ruiqi Liu & Ben Boukai & Zuofeng Shang, 2019. "Statistical Inference on Partially Linear Panel Model under Unobserved Linearity," Papers 1911.08830, arXiv.org.
    2. Gaetano Basso & Salvatore Lo Bello & Francesca Subioli, 2023. "Labor market dynamics and geographical reallocations," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1430, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    3. Michael Brottrager & Jesus Crespo Cuaresma & Dominic Kniveton & Saleem H. Ali, 2023. "Natural resources modulate the nexus between environmental shocks and human mobility," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    4. Emmler, Julian & Fitzenberger, Bernd, 2020. "The role of unemployment and job change when estimating the returns to migration," IAB-Discussion Paper 202037, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    5. Nocito, Samuel & Sartarelli, Marcello & Sobbrio, Francesco, 2023. "A beam of light: Media, tourism and economic development," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    6. Alasalmi, Juho, 2023. "Self-selection of Job-to-job Migrants on Match Quality," VfS Annual Conference 2023 (Regensburg): Growth and the "sociale Frage" 277633, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    7. Julio Acuna, 2023. "The Asymmetric Impact of Out-Migration and Return Migration on Wages in the Source Country: Evidence from Mexico," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 17(2), pages 173-206.
    8. Cervellati, Matteo & Esposito, Elena & Sunde, Uwe & Yuan, Song, 2022. "Malaria and Chinese economic activities in Africa," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    9. Al Husein, N. & Wagner, N., 2020. "Determinants of intended return migration among refugees : A comparison of Syrian refugees in Germany and Turkey," ISS Working Papers - General Series 127798, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS), The Hague.
    10. Samuel Nocito & Marcello Sartarelli & Francesco Sobbrio, 2021. "A Beam of Light: Media, Tourism & Economic Development," CESifo Working Paper Series 9055, CESifo.
    11. Qiu, Huanguang & Hong, Junqiao & Wang, Xiangrui & Filipski, Mateusz, 2024. "Home sweet home: Impacts of living conditions on worker migration with evidence from randomized resettlement in China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 558-583.
    12. Davide Fiaschi & Cristina Tealdi, 2018. "Some Stylized Facts on Italian Inter-regional Migration," Discussion Papers 2018/231, Dipartimento di Economia e Management (DEM), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
    13. Emmler, Julian & Fitzenberger, Bernd, 2020. "The Role of Unemployment and Job Change When Estimating the Returns to Migration," IZA Discussion Papers 13740, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    14. Sargent, Kristina, 2023. "The labor market impacts of Brexit: Migration and the European union," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).

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