Work

Network Size and Temporary Migration

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT In this study, we explore the impact of network size on temporary migration, using data from the Indian Human Development Survey 2011–12. Network size indicates the availability of informal risk‐sharing for rural households, with temporary migration acting as another self‐insurance method. We demonstrate that the effect of network size on migration is contingent upon the network's endowment, particularly emphasizing the role of credit constraints in low‐endowed networks. The findings reveal that larger network sizes reduce temporary migration in high‐endowed upper‐caste networks but increase in less‐endowed lower‐caste networks. This association is supported using historical caste population data from the 1961 census and regions dominated by non‐migrants. We further ascertain that enhanced network size alleviates credit constraints in lower‐endowed networks, driven by the network's income and influenced by exogenous rainfall shocks.

Source: Review of Development Economics

DOI: 10.1111/rode.13233

Authors: Vikram Bahure, Pritam Saha

Institutions: King's College London, University of Geneva

Language: English

Topic: Migration and Labor Dynamics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: No poverty, Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,350