Why does birthplace matter so much? Sorting, learning and geography

Henry Overman and Clement Bosquet

No 11085, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We consider the link between birthplace and wages. Using a unique panel dataset we estimate a raw elasticity of wage with respect to birthplace size of 4.6%, two thirds of the 6.8% raw elasticity with respect to city size. We consider a number of mechanisms through which this birthplace effect could arise. Our results suggest that inter-generational transmission (sorting) and the effect of birthplace on current location (geography) both play a role in explaining the effect of birthplace. We find no role for human capital formation at least in terms of educational outcomes (learning). Our results highlight the importance of intergenerational sorting in helping explain the persistence of spatial disparities.

Keywords: Lifetime mobility; Place of birth; Spatial sorting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J31 J61 J62 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse, nep-geo, nep-lab, nep-mig, nep-soc and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Working Paper: Why Does Birthplace Matter So Much? Sorting, Learning and Geography (2016)
Working Paper: Why does birthplace matter so much? Sorting, learning and geography (2016)
Working Paper: Why does birthplace matter so much? Sorting, learning and geography (2016)
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