Economics and Finance Research Talk Series: Mobile Internet Access and the Desire to Emigrate

Wed 30/03 at 13:00-14:15 in BANN208 (Bannerman Centre)

Speaker: Cevat Aksoy (Kings College London)

Title: Mobile Internet Access and the Desire to Emigrate

Abstract:
How does mobile internet access affect the desire to emigrate and migration plans? To answer this question, we combine survey data on more than 600,000 individuals from 110 countries with data on worldwide 3G mobile internet rollout. We show that an increase in mobile internet access increases desire to emigrate. This effect is particularly strong for higher-income individuals in low-income countries. We identify three potential mechanisms. Access to the mobile internet lowers the cost of acquiring information and leads to a drop in perceived material well-being and trust in government. Using municipal-level data from Spain, we also document that 3G rollout increased actual migration flows.

URL: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/cevat-giray-aksoy

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• Do not come if you have Covid symptoms.

• Please wear a face covering (unless exempt).

• Consider taking a lateral flow test on the morning of the presentation.

Access to BANN 208: Please enter the library with your ID card and take the stairs to your left.

Live online streaming of the presentation can be arranged on request.

External Guests: Please register by email to Sven.Fischer@brunel.ac.uk