Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP6438
Authors: Amelie Constant; Klaus F. Zimmermann
Abstract: The economic literature has largely overlooked the importance of repeat and circular migration. The paper studies this behaviour by analyzing the number of exits and the total number of years away from the host country using count data models and panel data from Germany. More than 60% of migrants from the guestworker countries are indeed repeat or circular migrants. Migrants from European Union member countries, those not owning a dwelling in Germany, the younger and the older (excluding the middle ages), are significantly more likely to engage in repeat migration and to stay out for longer. Males and those migrants with German passports exit more frequently, while those with higher education exit less; there are no differences with time spent out. Migrants with family in the home country remain out longer, and those closely attached to the labour market remain less; they are not leaving the country more frequently.
Keywords: circular migration; count data; guestworkers; minorities; repeat migration
JEL Codes: C25; F22; J15; J61
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| migrants from European Union member countries (F22) | repeat migration (F22) |
| migrants from European Union member countries (F22) | total years away from Germany (N94) |
| males (J16) | exit frequency (Y60) |
| migrants holding German passports (F22) | exit frequency (Y60) |
| higher education levels (I23) | exit frequency (Y60) |
| migrants with family in their home country (F24) | total years away from host country (F22) |
| those closely attached to the German labor market (J69) | exit frequency (Y60) |
| age pattern of mobility (J62) | circular migration likelihood (J61) |
| middle age (J26) | circular migration likelihood (J61) |
| gender (male vs. female) (J16) | total years away from host country (F22) |
| German citizens vs. other EU nationals (J69) | total years away from host country (F22) |