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Sex and Migration: Who is the Tied Mover?

Author

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  • Åström, Johanna

    (Department of Economics, Umeå University)

  • Westerlund, Olle

    (Department of Economics, Umeå University)

Abstract

We study the effects of interregional migration on two-earner household gross earnings as well as on the relative income between married and cohabiting couples. In particular, we examine the link between education level and income gains. The empirical analysis is based on longitudinal data from Sweden as well as on functional regional labour markets that operate as regional entities. Using difference-in-differences propensity score matching, we find that migration increases total gross household earnings and has no significant impact on the male/female earnings gap. We find that pre-migration education level is a key determinant of migration and economic outcomes and is also a determinant of the effect of migration on income distribution within the household. The positive average effect on household earnings is largely explained by income gains among highly-educated males. Females generally experience no significant income gain from migration in absolute terms. Females gain significantly in relative income only if they are highly educated and married or cohabitating with a lower-educated male.

Suggested Citation

  • Åström, Johanna & Westerlund, Olle, 2009. "Sex and Migration: Who is the Tied Mover?," Umeå Economic Studies 787, Umeå University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:umnees:0787
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Zaiceva, Anzelika, 2010. "East-West migration and gender: Is there a differential effect for migrant women?," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 443-454, April.
    4. Brandén, Maria & Ström, Sara, 2011. "For whose sake do couples relocate? Gender, career opportunities and couples’ internal migration in Sweden," Working Paper Series 2011:3, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Regional migration; labor mobility; two earner households;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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