Refugee Mobility: Evidence from Phone Data in Turkey

Abstract

Our research report employs the D4R data and combines it to several other sources to study one of the multiple aspects of integration of refugees, namely the mobility of refugees across provinces in Turkey. In particular, we employ a standard gravity model to empirically estimate a series of determinants of refugee movements. These include the standard determinants such as province characteristics, distances across provinces, levels of income, network effects as well as some refugee-specific determinants such as the presence of refugee camps and the intensity of phone call interaction among refugees. Importantly, we explore the effect of certain categories of news events, notably protests, violence and asylum grants. Considering news as an indicator of policy implemented at the provincial level we gain a better understanding as to how policy can facilitate refugee mobility and thus enhance integration. To benchmark our findings, we estimate the same model for the mobility of individuals with a non-refugee status.

The Labor Market Effects of Venezuelan Migration in Ecuador

“…In conclusion, the estimates show that Venezuelan migrants are highly geographically mobile and that their location choices are fundamentally driven by the economy of the receiving region. It is interesting to note that our findings differ from those reported in Beine et al (2019), which analyzes the determinants of the location choices of Syrian refugees across provinces in Turkey using a similar estimation approach. Their analysis shows a large and highly significant effect of distance and local policy interventions (such as boycotts and availability of economic aid), but they do not find that economic activity at destination (measured by night-lights intensity) plays a role in shaping the migrants' locations decisions.…”

The Labor Market Effects of Venezuelan Migration in Ecuador

“…In conclusion, the estimates show that Venezuelan migrants are highly geographically mobile and that their location choices are fundamentally driven by the economy of the receiving region. It is interesting to note that our findings differ from those reported in Beine et al (2019), which analyzes the determinants of the location choices of Syrian refugees across provinces in Turkey using a similar estimation approach. Their analysis shows a large and highly significant effect of distance and local policy interventions (such as boycotts and availability of economic aid), but they do not find that economic activity at destination (measured by night-lights intensity) plays a role in shaping the migrants' location decisions.…”

“…The goal of this section is to employ regression analysis to quantify the role played by a variety of geographic and economic factors in determining Venezuelans' choice of region (defined as a canton) in the vein of Beine et al (2019). 19 The geographic factors we consider are the distances from each canton to the main gateways into Ecuador for Venezuelans.…”

“…Beine et al (2019) have also used cell phone records in the context of Syrian refugees in Turkey, but their analysis is limited to refugees' location choices and they do not analyze labor market outcomes.4 The cantons containing the cities of Quito and Guayaquil host over 85,000 Venezuelan migrants each.…”

“…Adequate employment refers to the full-time employed earning at least the minimum wage, and to workers with part-time jobs that do not wish to work more hours.6Beine et al (2019) have also used cell phone records in the context of Syrian refugees in Turkey, but their analysis is limited to refugees' location choices and they do not analyze labor market outcomes.…”