Destination Choices of Recent Pan–American Migrants: Opportunities,Costs,and Migrant Selectivity

This study examines the destination choices of pan-American migrants using census data for migrants from 23 Latin-American and Caribbean origin groups opting for one of ten North and South American destination countries. Descriptive findings suggests that Caribbean and Central American migrants overwhelmingly migrate to the United States, while South Americans are characterized by more diverse choice patterns. Using discrete choice models, the multivariate analysis shows that migrants are more likely to choose a country of destination which portrays a higher relative expected wage ratio, a lower relative income inequality, a smaller geographic as well as cultural distance, a larger co-ethnic community and policy conditions that are more favorable towards immigrants. The results also indicate that some of these characteristics lead to skill selection differentials. Accordingly, destinations are more likely to attract highly educated migrants if the co-ethnic community is small and relative political freedom, geographic distance and cultural distance are above average.