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Forced migration and local economic development: Evidence from postwar Hungary

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate the effects of forced migration on sending economies using the post-WW2 expulsion of German minorities from Hungary as a natural experiment. We combine historical and contemporary data sources to show that the forced migrations led to lasting reductions in economic activity. Plausible mechanisms driving this result appear to be sectoral change (shift towards agriculture) and skills differences between Germans and the settlers that replaced them. Our analysis reveals that forced migration can cause lasting regional inequalities in sending economies.

Source: Journal of Development Economics

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2024.103355

Authors: Daniel Borbely, Ross Mckenzie

Institutions: Queen's University Belfast, University of Dundee

Language: English

Topic: Migration and Labor Dynamics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,190