Crossing Borders, Shaping Futures : An empirical study of migration’s influence on Mexican educational paths.

Abstract

This study aims to answer the question: "Can migration from Mexico to the United States have a causal effect on educational attainment in Mexico?". We examine the impact of residing in Mexican households where at least one member has migrated to the United States. Specifically, we look into the educational outcomes of individuals aged 12-22 who live in migrant households but did not migrate themselves. Employing an Instrumental Variables (IV) approach, we utilize migration rates from 1987 to address the endogenous nature of migration conditions for Mexican households in 2018. We leverage national-level survey data from Mexico, combined with information from INEGI and CONEVAL, to conduct the IV approach. Additionally, our study explores the specific effects of migration on the educational journeys of males and females. Our analysis uncovers a statistically significant causal relationship, indicating that migration is associated with lower completion rates among Junior High and High School males. With an extension of our model, we identify statistically significant results concerning the impact of migration on school completion rates for females aged 15-19 as well. Despite recent advancements in Mexico, our findings suggest a persistent adverse effect on educational attainment associated with migration, particularly regarding the completion of Junior High and High School levels. We conclude our analysis by discussing the potential educational effects of incentivizing individuals to remain in Mexico instead of seeking employment in the US.