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Cousins from Overseas: The Labour Market Impact of a Major Forced Return Migration Shock

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Listed:
  • Bohnet, Lara

    (New York University)

  • Peralta, Susana

    (Nova School of Business and Economics)

  • Pereira dos Santos, João

    (Queen Mary University of London)

Abstract

We study the labour market impact of the return of half a million Portuguese due to onset of the colonial war in 1974. Both the size and similarity with the native population (almost 80% were Portuguese-born) make this a unique shock. We use census data from 1960 and 1981 to document a decrease in dependent employment of 15% for native males and 62% for females. The bulk of the effects is driven by Portuguese-born repatriates. We use shit-share IVs based on the repatriates' municipality of birth, and the municipal hotel capacity, exploiting a large-scale resettlement program.

Suggested Citation

  • Bohnet, Lara & Peralta, Susana & Pereira dos Santos, João, 2022. "Cousins from Overseas: The Labour Market Impact of a Major Forced Return Migration Shock," IZA Discussion Papers 15595, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15595
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    return migration; labour market; labour supply; entrepreneur- ship; instrumental variable;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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