Educational attainment, corruption, and migration: An empirical analysis from a gravity model

Previous research shows that migrants generally select countries with relatively low levels of corruption. This study explores the interaction between the corruption level of origin and destination countries and migrants' level of education. Using a panel dataset from 1990 to 2000 and a modified gravity model, we estimate the effect of education level on global migration decisions. Consistent with other studies, we confirm that countries with low levels of corruption attract more migrants. We add to this finding by showing that migrants with higher levels of education are more sensitive to corruption levels at destination countries. In particular, migrants with higher levels of education are more likely to choose less corrupt countries. Our findings enhance our understanding of factors influencing human capital mobility across borders.