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Migration and Economic Mobility in Tanzania: Evidence from a Tracking Survey

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  • Dercon, Stefan
  • Beegle, Kathleen
  • ,

Abstract

This study explores to what extent migration has contributed to improved living standards of individuals in Tanzania. Using a 13-year panel survey, the authors find that migration between 1991 and 2004 added 36 percentage points to consumption growth. Although moving out of agriculture resulted in much higher growth than staying in agriculture, growth was always greater in any sector if the individual physically moved. As to why more people do not move give high returns to geographical mobility, analysis finds evidence consistent with models in which exit barriers set by home communities prevent the migration of some categories of people.

Suggested Citation

  • Dercon, Stefan & Beegle, Kathleen & ,, 2010. "Migration and Economic Mobility in Tanzania: Evidence from a Tracking Survey," CEPR Discussion Papers 7759, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:7759
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Africa; Growth; Migration; Tracking survey;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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