Working Paper: NBER ID: w25921
Authors: Neeraj Kaushal; Mauro Lanati
Abstract: Recent years have seen an unprecedented growth and geographic dispersion in international student mobility. In this paper, we empirically test the predictions of two competing theoretical models underpinning the determinants of student mobility – the human capital model and the migration model – across traditional and emerging destinations. Our findings suggest that while the predictions of the migration model are generally valid in explaining student emigration to non-English speaking OECD destinations, student flows to English speaking countries and emerging economies are largely in line with the predictions of the human capital model. The growing dispersion of international students to emerging economies and continuing large flows to English speaking countries are therefore indicative of the rising demand to acquire tertiary skills and much less of the desire to migrate for permanent settlement.
Keywords: International Student Mobility; Human Capital Model; Migration Model
JEL Codes: J1; J15; J24
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| interconnectedness (measured by immigrant networks and bilateral trade) (F60) | international student mobility (F22) |
| diaspora effect (measured by the stock of immigrants from the origin country) (F22) | international student inflow (F22) |
| bilateral trade (F10) | student mobility (J62) |
| origin country characteristics (political stability, educational infrastructure, economic growth) (O57) | international student mobility (F22) |
| per capita GDP at the origin (F29) | student mobility (J62) |
| political stability and governance quality in the origin country (O17) | international student mobility to non-OECD destinations (F29) |
| improved governance (G38) | international student mobility to English-speaking countries (F22) |