The Effect of Mexico’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program on Migration Decisions

Type Working Paper
Title The Effect of Mexico’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program on Migration Decisions
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
URL https://sites.duke.edu/djepapers/files/2016/10/ishikawathesisdjepaper.pdf
Abstract
The Mexican conditional cash transfer program, Oportunidades, is commonly overlooked for long-term evaluations. One understudied effect of this poverty-reduction program is the change in migration behavior caused by the cash transfers. Using data from the Mexican Family Life Survey, this study outlines the effects of the social net program on international migration of low-income households in Mexico. The results suggest that the program causes a positive increase in likelihood for international migration for program participants. Within participating households, individuals who are responsible for grant income tend to migrate less compared to the other members of the households. This research provides valuable insight into existing literature on migration of low-income households in relation to the availability of the conditional cash transfer program.

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