Present Mothers, Absent Children? The Effects of Migration Restrictions in Sri Lanka

A. Nilesh Fernando, Alison Lodermeier, Paul Shaloka

Working paper

Abstract

A 2013 Sri Lankan policy restricted women's migration for foreign employment based on their own age and their children's ages. The policy sharply reduced female migration to the Gulf region and household remittance income, lowering consumption. Affected mothers respond by reducing fertility, while their children experience worse outcomes, including reduced school attendance.