Understanding the Gendered Structure of International Migration Flows

Micol M. Morellini , University of Oxford
Per Block, University of Zurich

A growing body of literature recognises a feminisation of international migration, where women increasingly initiate and undertake independent migration. However, it remains unclear how this phenomenon may translate at the aggregate level and over time. This study examines gender differences in migration patterns using estimates of all country-to-country migration flows across 143 countries from 1960 to 2020. We introduce an innovative concentration index to assess whether destination countries for men and women have diverged over time. Our preliminary findings reveal significant variations in destination selection by gender, suggesting that women face stronger constraints in their choices compared to men. Furthermore, we aim to explore whether traditional macro-level push and pull factors, such as geographical proximity and economic disparities, can adequately explain these gender-based differences in migration patterns. This research contributes to our understanding of the evolving dynamics of gender and migration on a global scale.

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 Presented in Session 54. Flash session International Migration