International Migration and Trade Agreements: the new role of PTAs

Gianluca Orefice

No 111, FIW Working Paper series from FIW

Abstract: This paper investigates empirically the role of Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) as determinants of migration inflows for 29 OECD countries in the period 1998-2008. By increasing information about signatory countries, PTAs are expected to drive migration flows towards member countries. Building on the empirical literature on the determinants of migration, I estimate a modified gravity model on migration flows providing evidence of a strong positive effect of PTAs on bilateral migration flows. I also consider the content of PTAs as a further determinant of migration, finding that visa-and-asylum and labour market related provisions, when included in PTAs, stimulate bilateral migration flows. Finally, by comparing the average effects of PTAs on migration flows and on trade, I show that PTAs stimulate bilateral migration flows more than trade in final goods. PTAs might be used by government to increase inflows of immigrant workers in the case of labour shortages or population ageing.

Keywords: International Migration; Trade Policy; Migration Policy; PTAs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F13 F16 F22 F53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 38
Date: 2013-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-int and nep-mig
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Related works:
Journal Article: International migration and trade agreements: The new role of PTAs (2015)
Journal Article: International migration and trade agreements: The new role of PTAs (2015)
Working Paper: International Migration and Trade Agreements: the new role of PTAs (2012)
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