Economic Approaches to Migration and Inequality

The disparity in income, wealth, well-being, labour opportunities and resources across countries has long been considered a driver of international migration. However, the rise in inequality due to globalisation, demographic shifts and technological advancements has underscored the intricate interplay between inequality and migration. This chapter focuses on the economic literature exploring the nexus between migration and economic inequality. The chapter is divided into two main sections. The first section explores some effects of migration in the destination countries by looking at the composition of flows and the impact on labour market outcomes. The second part of the chapter deals with the link between migration and inequality through the lenses of globalisation by considering some issues, such as remittances, brain drain and technology. A concluding section briefly summarises key findings and outlines potential avenues for future research.