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Self-selection of Emigrants: Theory and Evidence on Stochastic Dominance in Observable and Unobservable Characteristics

George Borjas, Ilpo Kauppinen and Panu Poutvaara

The Economic Journal, 2019, vol. 129, issue 617, 143-171

Abstract: The Roy model has more precise predictions about the self-selection of migrants than previously realised. The conditions shown to result in positive or negative selection in terms of expected earnings also imply a stochastic dominance relationship between the earnings distributions of migrants and non-migrants. We test these predictions using the Danish full population administrative data. We find strong evidence of positive self-selection of emigrants in terms of pre-emigration earnings and residual earnings: the income distribution for the migrants almost stochastically dominates the distribution for the non-migrants. Decomposing the self-selection in total earnings reveals that unobserved abilities play the dominant role.

Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (52)

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Related works:
Working Paper: SELF-SELECTION OF EMIGRANTS: THEORY AND EVIDENCE ON STOCHASTIC DOMINANCE IN OBSERVABLE AND UNOBSERVABLE CHARACTERISTICS (2019)
Working Paper: Self-Selection of Emigrants: Theory and Evidence on Stochastic Dominance in Observable and Unobservable Characteristics (2016) Downloads
Working Paper: Self-Selection of Emigrants: Theory and Evidence on Stochastic Dominance in Observable and Unobservable Characteristics (2015) Downloads
Working Paper: Self-Selection of Emigrants: Theory and Evidence on Stochastic Dominance in Observable and Unobservable Characteristics (2015) Downloads
Working Paper: Self-Selection of Emigrants: Theory and Evidence on Stochastic Dominance in Observable and Unobservable Characteristics (2015) Downloads
Working Paper: Self?Selection of Emigrants: Theory and Evidence on Stochastic Dominance in Observable and Unobservable Characteristics (2015) Downloads
Working Paper: Self-Selection of Emigrants: Theory and Evidence on Stochastic Dominance in Observable and Unobservable Characteristics (2015) Downloads
Working Paper: Self-Selection of Emigrants: Theory and Evidence on Stochastic Dominance in Observable and Unobservable Characteristics (2015) Downloads
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