Infant Mortality in Peru and Mexico: Effects of Migration

Shirin Hakimzadeh, Rice University

Prior studies suggest that, over the long run, migration benefits infant survival in Mexico. This poster compares how migration affects rates of infant mortality in Mexico to Peru. Both nations are well-known for their high rates of outmigration, and differences in the process across national origins and local communities are likely to play a critical part in explanations of infant mortality. Using data from the Latin American and Mexican Migration projects, we will examine infant mortality and assess the extent to which it varies by attributes of origin communities. We will also examine variations in infant mortality for children in two types of families: those without migrants and those with prior migrants. Our findings will be summarized using a variety of techniques to insure straightforward interpretation of the effects of migration on infant survival.