Migration Networks, Export Shocks, and Human Capital Acquisition: Evidence from China
54 Pages Posted: 18 Feb 2021 Last revised: 6 May 2022
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Migration Networks, Export Shocks, and Human Capital Acquisition: Evidence from China
Migration Networks, Export Shocks, and Human Capital Acquisition: Evidence from China
Date Written: May 4, 2022
Abstract
We examine the impact of export shocks proxied by destination countries’ tariffs on the postmiddle school enrollment of the rural population in China. We complement the literature by examining across-region spillover effects of export shocks through initial migration networks. We find that the reduction of export tariffs at both the local and migration-destination prefectures significantly decreases postmiddle school enrollment of the 16-18 years old cohort, but the latter is stronger. Further analysis suggests that employment in secondary industry rise significantly with the reduction of export tariffs, which improves job opportunities and thus increases the postmiddle school dropout rate.
Keywords: Tariff shocks, Educational choice, High school enrollment, Migration networks
JEL Classification: F16, J24, O12, O14
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation