CASH TRANSFERS AND MIGRATION: THEORY AND EVIDENCE FROM A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Will the fast expansion of cash-based programming in poor countries increase international migration? Theoretically, cash transfers may deter migration by increasing its opportunity cost or favor migration by re-laxing liquidity, credit, and risk constraints. This paper evaluates the impact of a cash-for-work program on migration. Randomly selected households in Comoros were offered up to US$320 in cash in exchange for their partic-ipation in public works projects. We find that the program increased international migration by 38% from 7.8% to 10.8%. The increase in migration appears to be driven by the alleviation of liquidity and risk constraints.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Gazeaud, J; Mvukiyehe, E; Sterck, O
Published Date
- January 6, 2023
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 105 / 1
Start / End Page
- 143 - 157
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1530-9142
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0034-6535
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1162/rest_a_01041
Citation Source
- Scopus