Professional Consequences of Couple Internal Migration: Evidence from France

Ariane Pailhe, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Anne Solaz, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)

Studies on the professional consequences of spatial mobility are largely individual-centered. Their implicit hypothesis is that the mobility decision is taken by the breadwinner partner. With increasing women labor force participation, such assumptions are less valid. It seems obvious that moving is a couple decision. This paper aims to analyze the professional consequences of this joint decision in terms of activity, job type, earnings and job satisfaction. We first estimate the probability that the couple moves outside the current area (“French department”) with a probit model on panel data, according to both partners’ characteristics. Secondly, we analyze the consequences of the couple migration. We find that migration is generally profitable for the couple, but not necessary for both partners. In particular, the woman may reduce her professional investment and activity, and the wage increase is greater for men.