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The Well‐Being Of Nations: Estimating Welfare From International Migration

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  • Sanghoon Lee
  • Seung Hoon Lee
  • Jeffrey Lin

Abstract

The limitations of GDP as a measure of welfare are well known. We propose a new method of estimating the well‐being of nations. Using gross bilateral international migration flows and a discrete choice model in which everyone in the world chooses a country in which to live, we estimate each country's overall quality of life. Our estimates, by relying on revealed preference, complement previous estimates of well‐being that consider only income or a small number of factors, or rely on structural assumptions about how these factors contribute to well‐being.

Suggested Citation

  • Sanghoon Lee & Seung Hoon Lee & Jeffrey Lin, 2021. "The Well‐Being Of Nations: Estimating Welfare From International Migration," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 62(3), pages 1111-1130, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:iecrev:v:62:y:2021:i:3:p:1111-1130
    DOI: 10.1111/iere.12511
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    Cited by:

    1. Seung Hoon Lee & Hyoung Chul Kim & Ji Sub Park, 2023. "The Well-Being of Cities: Estimating Migration Attractiveness from Internal Migration across Korean Cities," Working papers 2023rwp-213, Yonsei University, Yonsei Economics Research Institute.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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