Migration and Life Satisfaction: Evidence From Latin America

Abstract

Using data from the Gallup World Poll and Latinobarometro, we examine
the relationship between life satisfaction, vulnerabilities, and migration in Latin
America. We look at three kinds of insecurities: nutritional, personal, and job insecurity.
We find that controlling for income, migration experience by a household
member increases life satisfaction of the respondent. We also find, however, that
nutritional insecurities interact negatively with migration. In other words, hunger
has a devastating effect on happiness, especially in households where a member is
absent due to migration.