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Migration and Human Capital Formation: Theory and Evidence From the U.S. High School Movement

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  • Mr. Rodney Ramcharan

Abstract

In 1910, 12 percent of American 14-17 year olds were enrolled in high school; by 1930, enrollment had increased to 50 percent; enrollment in Britain was 12 percent in 1950. This paper argues that by increasing the skill premium, the massive inflows of European unskilled immigrants at the turn of the twentieth century engendered America's sharp rise in human capital investment. The increased enrollments raised the supply of schools, leading to continued schooling investment. Cross section evidence and a VAR analysis of the time series data support the hypothesized role of immigration in generating the high school movement.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Rodney Ramcharan, 2002. "Migration and Human Capital Formation: Theory and Evidence From the U.S. High School Movement," IMF Working Papers 2002/123, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2002/123
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ricardo Da Costa Nunes & Selene Peres Peres Nunes, 2004. "O papel dos Fundos de Participação dos Estados - FPE na convergência da renda per capita dos estados brasileiros," Revista de Economía y Estadística, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas, Instituto de Economía y Finanzas, vol. 42(2), pages 89-103, Diciembre.
    2. Wido Geis, 2009. "Does Educational Choice Erode the Immigration Surplus?," ifo Working Paper Series 80, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    3. Yui Suzuki & Yukari Suzuki, 2016. "Interprovincial Migration and Human Capital Formation in China," Asian Economic Journal, East Asian Economic Association, vol. 30(2), pages 171-195, June.
    4. Jeffrey G. Williamson, 2006. "Inequality and schooling responses to globalization forces: lessons from history," Proceedings, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, pages 225-248.

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