Dual-earner migration in Britain: earnings gains, employment, and self-selection

Publication type

ISER Working Paper Series

Series Number

2006-01

Series

ISER Working Paper Series

Author

Publication date

January 1, 2006

Abstract:

This paper examines how spouses in dual-earner couples in Britain weigh each partner's expected wage growth in the decision to migrate. Previous research suggests that husbands' job prospects dominate the migration choice irrespective of their relative earnings potential. Based on British panel data this paper employs an endogenous switching model and estimates wage change differentials of migrating vs. staying for husbands and wives corrected for double selectivity of migration and employment. The analysis shows that dual-earner couples put roughly equal weights on each partner's expected wage gains when deciding to migrate. Moreover, migrant wives' employment declines temporarily and there are significant selection effects in migration and employment among non-migrants.

Subjects

Notes

working paper


Related Publications

#517943

News

Latest findings, new research

Publications search

Search all research by subject and author

Podcasts

Researchers discuss their findings and what they mean for society

Projects

Background and context, methods and data, aims and outputs

Events

Conferences, seminars and workshops

Survey methodology

Specialist research, practice and study

Taking the long view

ISER's annual report

Themes

Key research themes and areas of interest