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The impact of corruption on migration flows: evidence from Sub Saharan African countries

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  • Bianca Balsimelli Ghelli
  • Elton Bequiraj
  • Marilena Giannetti

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of corruption on the migration flows from SSA countries to the OECD countries between 2000 and 2019. Fixed-effects and system GMM (generalized method of moments) estimation techniques are used to establish a relationship between emigration and corruption. The empirical results indicate that when corruption increases, migration flows also increase, where corruption is measured on a scale of 0 (not corrupt) to 100 (totally corrupt). Splitting the sample by income inequality suggests that increased inequality doesn't reduce the ability to emigrate. Indeed, below and above the threshold the results are the same. Finally, splitting the sample by corruption level suggests that a high level of corruption in the home country doesn't affect the migration decision.

Suggested Citation

  • Bianca Balsimelli Ghelli & Elton Bequiraj & Marilena Giannetti, 2022. "The impact of corruption on migration flows: evidence from Sub Saharan African countries," Working Papers in Public Economics 232, Department of Economics and Law, Sapienza University of Roma.
    • Handle: RePEc:sap:wpaper:wp232
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption

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