Analysis of push and pull factors in net migration in Latin American countries & the Caribbean

Migration flows are in constant evolution, marked by continuous and rapid changes in migratory patterns driven by various factors that necessitate in-depth analysis. Based on the push–pull theory of migration, with information of CIA (World Factbook Skyhorse Publishing Inc., New York, 2020) and World Development Indicators (WDI, World development indicators, Washington, 2020) and focus on push factors, the objective of the present research is to empirically examine the effects of economic growth and unemployment on migration for 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries during the period 2000–2020. The methodology is based on a five-stage process in which fixed and random effects panel models are estimated to determine the relationship between the migration rate, the unemployment rate, and the gross domestic product. The main results indicate that in the countries studied, the data show exogenous variables comply with the push–pull theory globally, that is, in Latin America. Likewise, the causal relationships present a bidirectionality at the global level between migration, unemployment and economic growth. Future research can address some of the limitations of the present study, such as the analysis of other non-economic factors and more up-to-date series.