Testing the 'Brain Gain' Hypothesis: MIcro Evidence from Cape Verde

Catia Batista, Aitor Lacuesta and Pedro C. Vicente
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Pedro C. Vicente and Catia Batista

The Institute for International Integration Studies Discussion Paper Series from IIIS

Abstract: Does emigration really drain human capital accumulation in origin countries? This paper explores a unique household survey purposely designed and conducted to answer this research question. We analyze the case of Cape Verde, a country with allegedly the highest ‘brain drain’ in Africa, despite a marked record of income and human capital growth in recent decades. Our micro data enables us to propose the first explicit test of ‘brain gain’ arguments according to which the prospects of own future migration can positively impact educational attainment. According to our results, a 10pp increase in the probability of own future migration improves the average probability of completing intermediate secondary schooling by 8pp. Our findings are robust to the choice of instruments and econometric model. Overall, we find that there may be substantial human capital gains from lowering migration barriers.

Date: 2009-02-16
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr, nep-hrm and nep-mig
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Related works:
Journal Article: Testing the ‘brain gain’ hypothesis: Micro evidence from Cape Verde (2012)
Working Paper: Testing the 'Brain Gain' Hypothesis: Micro Evidence from Cape Verde (2010)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:iis:dispap:iiisdp282

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