Migration, Trade, and Foreign Direct Investment in Mexico

31 Pages Posted: 27 Jun 2005

See all articles by William F. Maloney

William F. Maloney

World Bank - Poverty and Economic Management Unit; IZA Institute of Labor Economics; World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG)

Patricio Aroca Gonzalez

Universidad Católica Del Norte

Date Written: May 2005

Abstract

Part of the rationale for NAFTA was that it would increase trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, creating jobs and reducing migration to the U.S. Since poor data on illegal flows to the U.S. make direct measurement difficult, this paper instead evaluates the mechanism behind these predictions using data on migration within Mexico where the census data permit careful analysis. We offer the first specifications for migration within Mexico incorporating measures of cost of living, amenities and networks. Contrary to much of the literature, labor market variables enter very significantly and as predicted once we control for possible credit constraint effects. Greater exposure to FDI and trade deters out-migration with the effects working partly through the labor market. Finally, we generate some tentative inferences about the impact on increased FDI on Mexico-U.S. migration. On average, a doubling of FDI inflows leads to a 1.5-2% fall in migration.

Suggested Citation

Maloney, William F. and Gonzalez, Patricio Aroca, Migration, Trade, and Foreign Direct Investment in Mexico (May 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=749444

William F. Maloney (Contact Author)

World Bank - Poverty and Economic Management Unit ( email )

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Patricio Aroca Gonzalez

Universidad Católica Del Norte

Antofagasta
Chile