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A Century of Language Barriers to Migration in India

Author

Listed:
  • Chaudhary, Latika

    (Naval Postgraduate School)

  • Dupraz, Yannick

    (Paris Dauphine University, PSL University, LEDA, CNRS, IRD)

  • Fenske, James

    (University of Warwick and CAGE)

Abstract

Combining detailed data on language and migration across colonial Indian districts in 1901 with a gravity model, we find origin and destination districts separated by more dissimilar languages saw less migration. We control for the physical distance between origin-destination pairs, several measures of dissimilarity in geographic characteristics, as well as origin and destination fixed effects. The results are robust to a regression discontinuity design that exploits spatial boundaries across language groups. We also find linguistic differences predict lower migration in 2001. Cultural channels are a small part of the link from linguistic diversity to lower migration. Rather, the evidence suggests communication and information channels are more important.

Suggested Citation

  • Chaudhary, Latika & Dupraz, Yannick & Fenske, James, 2025. "A Century of Language Barriers to Migration in India," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 774, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cge:wacage:774
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    File URL: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/research/centres/cage/manage/publications/wp774.2025.pdf
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • N35 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Asia including Middle East
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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