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.