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International Migration of Couples

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Junge
  • Martin D. Munk
  • Panu Poutvaara

Abstract

We present a theory on migration of dual-earner couples, and test it in the context of international migration. Our model predicts that the probability that a couple emigrates increases in the earnings of the primary earner. The effect of the earnings of the secondary earner may go either way. The empirical results for dual earner couples are in line with the theory. Primary earners in couples are more strongly self-selected with respect to their income than singles, a novel result that runs against the intuition that family ties weaken self-selection. Secondary earners in couples are more weakly self-selected than singles.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Junge & Martin D. Munk & Panu Poutvaara, 2014. "International Migration of Couples," CESifo Working Paper Series 4927, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_4927
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. George J Borjas & Ilpo Kauppinen & Panu Poutvaara, 2019. "Self-selection of Emigrants: Theory and Evidence on Stochastic Dominance in Observable and Unobservable Characteristics," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 129(617), pages 143-171.
    2. Matthias Parey & Jens Ruhose & Fabian Waldinger & Nicolai Netz, 2017. "The Selection of High-Skilled Emigrants," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 99(5), pages 776-792, December.
    3. Ilpo Kauppinen & Panu Poutvaara, 2012. "Preferences for Redistribution among Emigrants from a Welfare State," ifo Working Paper Series 120, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    4. Christian Dustmann & Joseph-Simon Görlach, 2016. "The Economics of Temporary Migrations," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 54(1), pages 98-136, March.
    5. Constant, Amelie F., 2020. "Time-Space Dynamics of Return and Circular Migration: Theories and Evidence," GLO Discussion Paper Series 446, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    6. Foged, Mette, 2016. "Family migration and relative earnings potentials," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 87-100.
    7. Martin D Munk & Till Nikolka & Panu Poutvaara, 2022. "International family migration and the dual-earner model [On the origin of gender roles: women and the plough]," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 22(2), pages 263-287.
    8. Piegeler, Monika & Röhl, Klaus-Heiner, 2015. "Gründungsförderung in Deutschland: Ein Aktionsplan gegen sinkende Gründerzahlen," IW policy papers 17/2015, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) / German Economic Institute.
    9. Francesco Mariotti & Karen Mumford & Yolanda Pena-Boquete, 2017. "Education, job insecurity and the within country migration of couples," IZA Journal of Migration and Development, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 6(1), pages 1-18, December.
    10. Nikolka, Till, 2018. "Family Return Migration," VfS Annual Conference 2018 (Freiburg, Breisgau): Digital Economy 181641, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    international migration; family migration; education; gender differences; dual-earner couples;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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