Women’s rights and the gender migration gap

This is the first global study of how institutionally entrenched gender discrimination affects the gender migration gap using data on 158 origin and 37 destination countries over the period 1961–2019. We estimate a gravity equation derived from a RUM model of migration that accounts for migrants’ gender. Instrumental variable estimates indicate that increasing gender equality in economic or political rights generally deepens the gap, i.e., it reduces female emigration relative to that of men. Studying heterogeneity across income levels, we find that higher-income countries drive this average effect. In contrast, increased gender equality in rights reduces the gender migration gap in lower-income countries by facilitating female emigration. • First global study of how gender equality in rights affects the gender migration gap. • Formulates a RUM model of migration that accounts for migrants’ gender. • Increasing gender equality in economic or political rights generally deepens the GMG. • This average effect is driven by higher-income countries. • Increasing gender equality in rights reduces the GMG in lower-income countries.