International Labor Migration 2010-2012: Baseline, Benchmark and Endline Surveys (Philippines)

Abstract

The study includes data and materials (do files, survey instruments) necessary for the replication of the paper: "Unilateral Facilitation Does Not Raise International Migration from the Philippines" by Emily A. Beam, David McKenzie, Dean Yang. According to the study, signifcant income gains from migrating from poorer to richer countries have motivated unilateral (source-country) policies facilitating labor emigration. However, their effectiveness is unknown. The investigators conducted a large-scale randomized experiment in the Philippines testing the impact of unilaterally facilitating international labor migration. Their most intensive treatment doubled the rate of job offers but had no identifable effect on international labor migration. Even the highest overseas job-search rate they induced (22%) falls far short of the share initially expressing interest in migrating (34%). They conclude that unilateral migration facilitation will at most induce a trickle, not a food, of additional emigration.