Differential Effects of Skilled and Unskilled Migration on Formal Sector Wage Structures in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan During Economic Transition
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6154302 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Heidy Rico Fontalvo (University of Cartagena), Florentino Rico (0000-0002-6477-3761), Mario De La Puente (corresponding author), Jose Torres (0000-0001-9474-1288, University of Sucre), Hernán Guzmán (0000-0001-9397-1639, University of Sucre) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publication date | 2025-11-23 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Eurasian Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1879-3665 • E-ISSN: 1879-3673 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/18793665251401939 |
| OpenAlex | W7106487926 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 14 |
This study examined how skilled and unskilled migration differentially affected formal sector wage structures in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan from 2019 to 2024. Using difference-in-differences analysis with instrumental variables on region-sector-quarter panel data, the research found skilled migration generated wage premiums 2.2 times larger than unskilled migration effects. Instrumental variable estimates revealed skilled migration increased wages by 38.6% while reducing inequality, compared to 16.4% wage increases from unskilled migration. Capital-intensive sectors showed stronger responses than labor-intensive industries, with Kazakhstan exhibiting larger effects than Uzbekistan. Effects operated through productivity channels, capital accumulation, and positive sorting. These findings inform skill-differentiated migration policies in transitional economies
Differential (mechanical device · Differential effects · Human capital · Instrumental variable · Panel data · Productivity · Wage
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |