International migration and welfare in the source country

Area of Science:

• Economics
• International Migration Studies

Background:

• Previous economic models of migration, like Rivera-Batiz (1982), focused on non-traded goods in source countries.
• These models may not fully capture the complexities of migrant asset ownership and transfer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To re-evaluate the economic effects of emigration on non-migrants.
• To incorporate a more comprehensive analysis of migrant input ownership and transfer.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical economic modeling.
• Comparative analysis of migration models.

Main Results:

• Rivera-Batiz's model omits crucial aspects of migrant input ownership and transfer.
• When these factors are included, the economic welfare of non-migrants can improve due to emigration.

Conclusions:

• Standard economic models may inaccurately assess the welfare effects of migration on source countries.
• A nuanced understanding of migrant asset dynamics is essential for accurate economic impact assessments.