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The impact of immigration on child health: Experimental evidence from a migration lottery program

Abstract
This paper uses a unique survey designed by the authors to compare migrant children who enter New Zealand through a random ballot with children in the home country of Tonga whose families were unsuccessful participants in the same ballots. We find that migration increases height and reduces stunting of infants and toddlers, but also increases BMI and obesity among 3- to 5-yr-olds. These impacts are quite large even though the average migrant household has been in New Zealand for less than 1 yr. Additional results suggest that these impacts occur because of dietary change rather than direct income effects. (JEL J61, I12, F22)
Type
Journal Article
Type of thesis
Series
Citation
Stillman, S., Gibson, J. & McKenzie, D. (2010). The impact of immigration on child health: Experimental evidence from a migration lottery program. Economic Inquiry.
Date
2010
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Degree
Supervisors
Rights
Publisher version