Does an Inclusive Citizenship Law Promote Economic Development?

Patrick Imam () and Kangni Kpodar

No 2019/003, IMF Working Papers from International Monetary Fund

Abstract: This paper analyzes the impact of citizenship laws on economic development. We first document the evolution of citizenship laws around the world, highlighting the main features of jus soli, jus sanguinis as well as mixed regimes, and shedding light on the channels through which they could have differentiated impact on economic development. We then compile a data set of citizenship laws around the world. Using cross-country regressions, panel-data techniques, as well as the synthetic control method and subjecting the results to a battery of tests, we find robust evidence that jus soli laws—being more inclusive—lead to higher income levels than alternative citizenship rules in developing countries, though to a less extent in countries with stronger institutional environment.

Keywords: WP; citizenship law; economic development; dummy variable; law country; country authorities; naturalization law; Citizenship laws; legal origin; Western Hemisphere country; regime country; government activity; country of immigrant; common law country; civil law; country's citizenship; sub-Saharan country; civil law country; Personal income; Migration; Legal support in revenue administration; Sub-Saharan Africa; Western Hemisphere; Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 37
Date: 2019-01-11
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Does an Inclusive Citizenship Law Promote Economic Development? (2021)
Working Paper: Does an Inclusive Citizenship Law Promote Economic Development ? (2019)
Working Paper: Does an Inclusive Citizenship Law Promote Economic Development? (2018)
Working Paper: Does an Inclusive Citizenship Law Promote Economic Development? (2018)
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