The Impacts of International Migration on Remaining Household Members: Omnibus Results from a Migration Lottery Program

Abstract

This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled The impacts of international migration on remaining household members : omnibus results from a migration lottery program, conducted in 2002 in Tonga. The study observed the impact of migration lottery program on the remaining household members of Tongan emigrants on the individual and intra-household level. Income falls rapidly, by 22 to 25 percent, with a rise in remittances failing to offset a large fall in labor earnings. Ownership of livestock, durable, and access to financial services is lower for the remaining household members. Diets change to be less nutritious and more rice and root crops. Immigration has a negative impact on household size. There is no significant impact of migration on labor supply for men nor women. Funding for the study derived from the World Bank, Stanford University, the Waikato Management School, and Mardsen Fund.