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Does air pollution induce international migration? New evidence from Chinese residents

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Listed:
  • Ma, Shuang
  • Li, Xueluan
  • Li, Ding
  • Guo, Huanxiu

Abstract

Severe air pollution affects public health and induces exodus of human capital, which is creating a growing concern in developing countries. While air pollution–induced “brain drain” has received much research interest, its causality and the underlying motivations of air pollution–driven migrants are poorly understood. This paper combines high-frequency monitoring data and detailed survey data from the 2015 China Household Finance Survey to investigate the short-term impact of air pollution on Chinese residents' international migration intentions. The regression analysis and instrumental variable strategy demonstrate that exogenous daily fluctuations in air pollution increase Chinese residents' desire to migrate internationally. Richer and more educated residents are keener to migrate abroad, and residents' dissatisfaction with local environmental governance can be a trigger for migration intention. These findings are alarming for Chinese policymakers in light of China's aim to protect the public's health while remaining a global center of manufacturing and innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Shuang & Li, Xueluan & Li, Ding & Guo, Huanxiu, 2023. "Does air pollution induce international migration? New evidence from Chinese residents," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:120:y:2023:i:c:s0264999322004138
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2022.106176
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    1. Ma, Xinru & He, Jingbin, 2023. "Air pollution and corporate green innovation in China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Air pollution; International migration; Human capital; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth

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