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Household allocations and endogenous information: The case of split migrants in Kenya

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  • de Laat, Joost

Abstract

One of the main elements separating different models of intrahousehold allocations is the household information set. This paper tests for the endogeneity of the household information set in a context where household members cannot observe each other easily: spousal information in the context of split urban migration in Kenya. Based on unique data, it finds that split migrant couples in the Nairobi slums invest considerable resources into information acquisition substituting visits, monitoring by siblings, and budget submissions before remitting. Comparisons of pre-marital search characteristics between current split and joint migrants are consistent with the hypothesis that those anticipating split migration change their marital search behavior to mitigate the consequences of pending imperfect information.

Suggested Citation

  • de Laat, Joost, 2014. "Household allocations and endogenous information: The case of split migrants in Kenya," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 108-117.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:106:y:2014:i:c:p:108-117
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2013.09.003
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