Regional Equilibrium and Migration Patterns in the Americas 1960-2005 : Spatial Data Panel Analysis

This paper analyzes the migration dynamics in the Americas from 1960 to 2005 using an equilibrium approach. The migration flow is evaluated using spatial econometrics techniques and controlling for the labor mobility effect and regional wages. Additionally, the estimated model looks for variations in migration by taking into account the distinctive population features in each country, namely the working age population, unemployment rate and relative wages. The estimated model shows that the spatial equilibrium related to net migration is negatively affected by wages and positively influenced by labor supply in the region