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Want Freedom, Will Travel: Emigrant Self-Selection According to Institutional Quality

Author

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  • Naghsh Nejad, Maryam

    (University of Technology, Sydney)

  • Young, Andrew T.

    (West Virginia University)

Abstract

We investigate emigrant self-selection according to institutional quality using up to 3,566 observations on bilateral migration flows from 77 countries over the 1990-2000 period. We relate these flows to differences in political and economic institutions. We improve and expand upon previous studies by (i) examining decade-long migration flows that (ii) include flows not only to OECD countries but also to non-OECD countries; also (iii) utilizing an estimation method that takes into account the information in zero value migration flows and (iv) examining not only total migration flows but also college-educated and non-college educated subsamples separately. We find that economic freedoms are a significant pull factor for potential migrants. Once economic freedoms are controlled for, measures of political institutions do not enter significantly into our estimations. Results are similar for college- and non-college-educated subsamples. Improvements in legal systems and property rights appear to be the strongest pull factor for potential migrants.

Suggested Citation

  • Naghsh Nejad, Maryam & Young, Andrew T., 2015. "Want Freedom, Will Travel: Emigrant Self-Selection According to Institutional Quality," IZA Discussion Papers 9309, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9309
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    institutions; democracy; economic freedom; emigration; brain drain;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • P51 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems - - - Comparative Analysis of Economic Systems

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