Regional absorption capacity and migration decisions in Brazil

Individual-level data for 556 Brazilian micro-regions for the period 2003–08 are used to examine the effect of absorption capacity on an individual’s decision to migrate. To achieve this goal, a migration balance index is computed to measure the intensity of the redistribution of general and skilled labour. A hierarchical logit model that simultaneously considers individual- and destination-level factors is estimated. It shows that absorption capacity positively affects individual decisions to migrate after controlling for a range of individual and geographical factors.