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Internal Migration and Crime in Brazil

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  • Eva-Maria Egger

Abstract

Research suggests that the social effects of internal migration may be substantially different from those associated with international immigration. In this paper, I provide the first evidence of the effect of internal migration on crime with panel data from Brazilian microregiões (microregions). Using local labor demand shocks as an instrumental variable, I find that a 10% increase in the in-migration rate translates to a 9.4% increase in the homicide rate in destination areas. I propose that the effect is driven by intermediating labor market effects and not by the migrants themselves. Exploring these possible channels, I do not find that crime-prone migrants drive the results. The effect is only significant in locations with high past crime rates, indicating crime inertia, and in places with a small informal sector, suggesting that the impact of internal migration is conditioned by the ability of local labor markets to accommodate migrants. This finding is supported by a negative effect of in-migration on formal employment in rigid markets and a positive effect on unemployment among young men, with the latter explaining most of the total effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Eva-Maria Egger, 2022. "Internal Migration and Crime in Brazil," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 71(1), pages 223-259.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:ecdecc:doi:10.1086/714740
    DOI: 10.1086/714740
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    Cited by:

    1. Liu, Wen & Xu, Zhicheng, 2025. "Lost in translation: Dialect distance, social assimilation and immigrant crimes in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    2. Exbrayat, Nelly & Stephane, Victor, 2025. "Does urbanization cause crime? Evidence from rural–urban migration in South Africa," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    3. Nelly Exbrayat & Victor Stephane, 2024. "Does Urbanization Cause Crime? Evidence from Rural-Urban Migration in South Africa," Working Papers halshs-04390026, HAL.

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