THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON CHILD HEALTH: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FROM A MIGRATION LOTTERY PROGRAM

Authors: STILLMAN, STEVEN¹; GIBSON, JOHN²; MCKENZIE, DAVID³

Source: Economic Inquiry, Volume 50, Number 1, 1 January 2012 , pp. 62-81(20)

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Abstract:

This paper uses a unique survey designed by the authors to compare migrant children who enter New Zealand through a random ballot with children in the home country of Tonga whose families were unsuccessful participants in the same ballots. We find that migration increases height and reduces stunting of infants and toddlers, but also increases BMI and obesity among 3- to 5-yr-olds. These impacts are quite large even though the average migrant household has been in New Zealand for less than 1 yr. Additional results suggest that these impacts occur because of dietary change rather than direct income effects. (JEL J61, I12, F22)

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-7295.2009.00284.x

Affiliations: 1: Senior Fellow, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Level 1, 97 Cuba Street, PO Box 24390, Wellington, New Zealand. Phone 64-4-939-4250, Fax: 64-4-939-4251 2: Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand. Phone 64-7-856-2889, Fax: 64-7-838-4331 3: Senior Economist, Development Research Group, The World Bank, 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433. Phone 202-458-9332, Fax: 202-522-3518

Publication date: 2012-01-01