RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Staying for Benefits
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 982
OP 1013
DO 10.3368/jhr.49.4.982
VO 49
IS 4
A1 Barham, Tania
A1 Kuhn, Randall
YR 2014
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/49/4/982.abstract
AB There is concern that benefit programs may alter out-migration patterns. We exploit the quasi-random placement of a health and family planning program in Bangladesh to examine changes in out-migration patterns. Using individual-level migration data from 1979–91, we find that the flow of out-migration was approximately 15 percent lower for women and men in the treatment versus comparison area. We find comparable changes in outmigrant stock, showing that effects persisted even after allowing for return migration. Our findings suggest that benefit programs can lead to longer run changes in population, with consequences for program evaluation design and economic development.