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Matching across Markets: An Economic Analysis of Cross-Border Marriage

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  • So Yoon Ahn

    (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Abstract

Severe gender imbalances coupled with the stark income differences across countries are driving an increase in cross-border marriages in many Asian countries. This paper theoretically and empirically studies who marries whom, including how cross-border couples are selected, and how marital surplus is allocated within couples in the marriage markets of Taiwan (a wealthier side with male-biased sex ratios) and Vietnam (a poorer side with balanced sex ratios). Among the cross-border marriages that are predominantly made up of Taiwanese men and Vietnamese women, I nd that Taiwanese men are selected from the middle level of the socioeconomic status distribution, and Vietnamese women are positively selected for cross-border marriages. Moreover, I show that changes in costs of cross-border marriage, incurred by immigration-policy changes and proliferation of matching services, also affect the welfare of Taiwanese and Vietnamese who do not participate in cross-border marriages by altering marriage rates, matching partners, and intra-household allocations.

Suggested Citation

  • So Yoon Ahn, 2021. "Matching across Markets: An Economic Analysis of Cross-Border Marriage," Working Papers 2021-047, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:hka:wpaper:2021-047
    Note: FI
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    File URL: http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/Ahn_2021_matching-across-markets-cross-border-marriage.pdf
    File Function: First version, October 2, 2020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Dziadula, Eva & Zavodny, Madeline, 2023. "Finding Love Abroad: Who Marries a Migrant and What Do They Gain?," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1334, Global Labor Organization (GLO).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Taiwan; Vietnam; Asia; marriage market; sex ratios; socioeconomic status; marital matching;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C78 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Bargaining Theory; Matching Theory
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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