Migration, Family, and Risk Diversification

23 Pages Posted: 10 Jul 2001

See all articles by Kong-Pin Chen

Kong-Pin Chen

Institute of Economics, Academia Sinica; National Taiwan University - Department of Economics

Shin-Hwan Chiang

York University - Department of Economics

Siu Fai Leung

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) - Department of Economics; Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) - Department of Economics

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: July 10, 2001

Abstract

This paper proposes a formal model of migration in which workers are heterogeneous and markets are stochastically correlated. We derive and characterize the optimal migration pattern. It is shown to depend on differences in expected earnings, costs of migration, income risks, and more importantly market correlations. We show that migration can take place even when the emigrants earn less abroad and, more surprisingly, when earnings in the foreign country are riskier. Moreover, it may well be an optimal arrangement to have only dependents migrate, thus rationalizing the dependent-oriented migration flows from places like Hong Kong and Taiwan. We also provide some evidence in support of our theory.

Keywords: International Migration, Decision-making under Uncertainty

JEL Classification: C61, D11, D81, D91, E21, F22

Suggested Citation

Chen, Kong-Pin and Chiang, Shin-Hwan and Leung, Siu Fai, Migration, Family, and Risk Diversification (July 10, 2001). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=270612 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.270612

Kong-Pin Chen

Institute of Economics, Academia Sinica ( email )

128 Academia Road, Section 2
Nankang
Taipei, 11529
Taiwan

HOME PAGE: http://idv.sinica.edu.tw/kongpin

National Taiwan University - Department of Economics

21 Hsiu Chow Rd
Taipei, 10020
Taiwan

Shin-Hwan Chiang (Contact Author)

York University - Department of Economics ( email )

4700 Keele St.
Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
Canada
416-736-5083 (Phone)

Siu Fai Leung

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) - Department of Economics ( email )

Clear Water Bay
Kowloon, Hong Kong
China

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) - Department of Economics ( email )

Clear Water Bay
Kowloon, Hong Kong
China

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