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Subjective Well-Being among Communities Left Behind by International Migrants

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  • Lara, Jaime

Abstract

This article assesses the impact of international migration on the subjective well-being of communities of origin in Mexico. Using a representative national survey and an empirical strategy with instrumental variables, we find that higher migratory intensity, at the municipal level, increases life satisfaction among men and women. There is a negative effect on emotional states of women, but an improvement in emotional states of men. Without controlling for schooling, a variable affected by international migration, men have a lower satisfaction with their perspective of future. Overall, the evidence in Mexico shows that the effects of international migration in the communities of origin are complex and with differential effects based on gender.

Suggested Citation

  • Lara, Jaime, 2018. "Subjective Well-Being among Communities Left Behind by International Migrants," MPRA Paper 87051, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:87051
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    Cited by:

    1. Hendriks, Martijn & Burger, Martijn J., 2021. "Happiness and Migration," GLO Discussion Paper Series 842, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    2. Urbano, David & Felix, Claudia & Aparicio, Sebastian, 2021. "Informal institutions and leadership behavior in a developing country: A comparison between rural and urban areas," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 544-556.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    life satisfaction; emotions; Mexican migration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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