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Unilateral Facilitation Does Not Raise International Labor Migration from the Philippines

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  • Emily Beam
  • David McKenzie
  • Dean Yang

Abstract

Significant income gains from migrating from poorer to richer countries have motivated unilateral (source-country) policies facilitating labor emigration. However, their effectiveness is unknown. We conducted a large-scale randomized experiment in the Philippines testing the impact of unilaterally facilitating international labor migration. Our most intensive treatment doubled the rate of job offers but had no identifiable effect on international labor migration. Even the highest overseas job-search rate we induced (22%) falls far short of the share initially expressing interest in migrating (34%). We conclude that unilateral migration facilitation will at most induce a trickle, not a flood, of additional emigration.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Beam & David McKenzie & Dean Yang, 2014. "Unilateral Facilitation Does Not Raise International Labor Migration from the Philippines," NBER Working Papers 20759, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20759
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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