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The Economic Impact of Migrants from Hurricane Maria

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni Peri
  • Derek Rury
  • Justin C. Wiltshire

Abstract

We examine the economic impact of the large Puerto Rican migration into Orlando following Hurricane Maria in 2017. Using a synthetic control approach, we find non‐Hispanic employment increased in Orlando and positive aggregate labor market effects for less‐educated workers. The employment effect was particularly large in the construction sector. While we find that construction earnings decreased slightly, this was balanced by earnings growth in retail and hospitality. This is consistent with immigration having small negative impacts on earnings in sectors exposed to a labor supply shock, offset by positive effects in sectors impacted by an associated positive demand shock.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Peri & Derek Rury & Justin C. Wiltshire, 2024. "The Economic Impact of Migrants from Hurricane Maria," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(6), pages 1795-1829.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:59:y:2024:i:6:p:1795-1829
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0521-11655R1
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    Cited by:

    1. Caroline M. Kraan & Miyuki Hino & Jennifer Niemann & A. R. Siders & Katharine J. Mach, 2021. "Promoting equity in retreat through voluntary property buyout programs," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 11(3), pages 481-492, September.
    2. Anna Marandi & Kelly Leilani Main, 2021. "Vulnerable City, recipient city, or climate destination? Towards a typology of domestic climate migration impacts in US cities," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 11(3), pages 465-480, September.
    3. Barattieri, Alessandro & Borda, Patrice & Brugnoli, Alberto & Pelli, Martino & Tschopp, Jeanne, 2023. "The short-run, dynamic employment effects of natural disasters: New insights from Puerto Rico," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    4. Zohal Hessami & Sebastian Schirner & Clara Wobbe, 2025. "Asylum seekers, new businesses, and job creation," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(4), pages 1-30, December.
    5. Michael A. Clemens, 2021. "The Fiscal Effect of Immigration: Reducing Bias in Influential Estimates," RFBerlin Discussion Paper Series 2134, ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin (RFBerlin).
    6. Matija Kovacic & Cristina Elisa Orso, 2023. "Who’s afraid of immigration? The effect of economic preferences on tolerance," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 36(3), pages 1901-1940, July.
    7. Hancevic, Pedro I. & Sandoval, Hector H., 2025. "Hurricanes and labor market disruptions: Insights from unemployment insurance claims," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    8. Cynthia Boruchowicz & Cesar Martinelli & Susan W. Parker, 2021. "Economic Consequences of Mass Migration: The Venezuelan Exodus in Peru," Working Papers 1080, George Mason University, Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science.
    9. Rozo, Sandra & Grossman, Guy, 2025. "Refugees and Other Forcibly Displaced Populations," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11123, The World Bank.
    10. Lebow, Jeremy, 2024. "Immigration and occupational downgrading in Colombia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    11. L. Aldieri & A. Nese & C. P. Vinci, 2025. "The role of migration-innovation nexus for population aging," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 15(4), pages 965-983, December.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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