Reviews:
“International labor mobility is the largest unexplored frontier
of globalization. Relaxing restrictions on crossborder movements would produce
economic gains that are much larger than any other policy under current
discussion. This wonderful book does a great service by providing a meticulous,
evidence-based analysis of where we stand with respect to labor mobility, what
the costs and benefits are, and policy options to reap some of those overall
gains. Policy makers and students of the world economy everywhere should read
it.”
— DANI RODRIK, Ford Foundation Professor of Political
Economy, Harvard University
“For raising living standards and reducing poverty, few issues are
as economically important and as politically contentious as international
migration. Clarity on the facts and overall evidence has never been at such a
premium. This very important book provides just the clarity we need. It is a
timely and valuable contribution.”
— ARVIND SUBRAMANIAN, Chief Economic Adviser,
Government of India
“Every large change in a labor market requires evidence from a
long-term and global perspective to understand its full impact. This is
certainly true of international migration, the costs of which can be quick and
concentrated, while benefits are slow and diffuse. Policy makers need hard
evidence to cool down hot debates and construct better ways to manage
migration. This book delivers that, authoritatively and comprehensively
interpreting the evidence we have and the tools we could wield. It should be
read by anyone serious about facing one of the greatest policy challenges of
this century.”
— MICHAEL CLEMENS, Senior Fellow, Center for Global
Development
Description:
Migration presents a
stark policy dilemma. Research repeatedly confirms that migrants, their
families back home, and the countries that welcome them experience large
economic and social gains. Easing immigration restrictions is one of the most
effective tools for ending poverty and sharing prosperity across the globe.
Yet, we see widespread opposition in destination countries, where migrants are
depicted as the primary cause of many of their economic problems, from high
unemployment to declining social services.
Moving for
Prosperity: Global Migration and Labor Markets addresses this dilemma. In addition to providing comprehensive data and
empirical analysis of migration patterns and their impact, the report argues
for a series of policies that work with, rather than against, labor market
forces. Policy makers should aim to ease short-run dislocations and adjustment
costs so that the substantial long-term benefits are shared more evenly. Only
then can we avoid draconian migration restrictions that will hurt everybody.
Moving for Prosperity aims to inform and stimulate policy debate,
facilitate further research, and identify prominent knowledge gaps. It
demonstrates why existing income gaps, demographic differences, and rapidly
declining transportation costs mean that global mobility will continue to be a
key feature of our lives for generations to come. Its audience includes anyone
interested in one of the most controversial policy debates of our time.
Contents:
Foreword
Acknowledgments
About the Team
Abbreviations
Overview • The patterns of global migration: Scale • The
patterns of global migration: Concentration • The determinants of migration •
The short-term impact of immigration: Labor markets • Addressing short-term
costs: Assistance and adjustment policies • The long-term impact: Immigrant
integration and assimilation • High-skilled migration, agglomeration, and brain
drain • International coordination of migration policy • Final thoughts • Notes
• References
Chapter 1. Patterns
of Global Migration • Overall
migration patterns • The concentration of economic migrants • Internal
migration • Refugees • Migrant demographics • Notes • References
Chapter 2. The
Economic Drivers of Migration Decisions • Why migrate? The benefits of migrating • Why migrate? The costs of
migrating • Why migrate? A cost–benefit analysis • Who chooses to migrate?
Skill composition and the selection of migrants • Annex 2A Gravity models •
Notes • References
Chapter 3. The Wage
and Employment Impacts of Migration • Conceptual issues: The factor proportions approach • Empirical
challenges: Immigrants and natives choose where to live and work • Measurement
challenges: Skill “downgrading” and the undocumented • Empirical strategy I:
The national skill cell approach • Empirical strategy II: The local labor
market approach • Empirical strategy III: Natural experiments • Emigration and
labor markets • Annex 3A Methodological challenges in the immigration
literature • Notes • References
Chapter 4.
Longer-Term Dynamics: Immigrant Economic Adjustment and Native Responses • Economic integration of immigrants and refugees •
Return and onward migration • Native responses to immigration • Notes •
References
Chapter 5.
High-Skilled Migration •
Defining a high-skilled migrant • Patterns of high-skilled migration •
Determinants of high-skilled migration patterns • Impact of high-skilled
migration on origin countries • Effects of skilled migration on destination
countries • High-skilled migration policies • Note • References
Appendix • Migration
Data
Boxes
Figures
Maps
Photo
Tables
Target Audience:
This book
is intended for Policy makers and students of the world economy &
developmental studies.