Journal Article

Differences in opportunities? Wage, employment and house-price effects on migration

Publication details

Publication date
Published in
Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics
Volume
74
Pages
pp. 831–855
Publisher
Blackwell
ISSN
3059049

Summary

Most empirical studies of individual migration choice analyse factors
associated with out-migration from an origin location. In contrast, we
model the migration decision within the context of potential
destinations, combining British panel data over the period 1992–2008
with other data sources. Contrary to earlier micro studies, we show that
differences in house prices levels (but not growth) are important
determinants of household migration for homeowners. Unemployed
individuals respond to regional differences in expected individual
wages, whereas the employed are more sensitive to employment
opportunities. Our evidence is consistent with partners of heads of
households being tied migrants.

Notes

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