Information frictions, belief updating and internal migration: Evidence from Ghana and Uganda

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Frohnweiler, Sarah; Beber, Bernd; Ebert, Cara
• 署名单位: University of Gottingen; Leibniz Association; RWI - Leibniz Institut fur Wirtschaftsforschung; Leibniz Association; RWI - Leibniz Institut fur Wirtschaftsforschung
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2024.103311
• 发表日期: 2024
• 关键词: Income differentials; Migration decision; Belief updating

摘要

Information frictions about benefits of migration can lead to inefficient migration choices. We study the effects of randomly assigned information treatments concerning regional income differentials in Ghana and Uganda to explore participants' belief updating and changes in internal migration intentions, destination preferences, and actual migration. Treated participants prefer higher income destinations, while effects on intent plausibly follow subjects' initial under- or overestimation of potential gains, with asymmetric updating propensities. Effects persist for 18 months, and discussions with others about migrating increase, but actual migration does not. Knowledge about income affects intentions and destination choices, but barriers to actual relocation are complex.