Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Economics

Second Department

Politics and International Relations

Reader 1

Professor Nicholas Kacher

Reader 2

Professor Nancy Neiman

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision on U.S. migration, analyzing how shifts in abortion policy affect state-to-state movement and potential economic growth of states. Utilizing IRS migration data (2015-2022) and a difference-in-difference approach, I explore whether restrictive abortion laws post-Dobbs have driven migration from restricted to unrestricted states. Findings indicate limited changes in total mover numbers but suggest income differences, with higher-income individuals more likely to leave restrictive states. A case study of Indiana and Minnesota illustrates the intersection of reproductive healthcare access and economic migration, revealing that while economic factors remain the primary drivers of migration, restrictive abortion laws may subtly influence decisions. This research underscores the potential demographic and economic shifts in states impacted by restrictive abortion policies, suggesting that such policies may contribute to long-term changes in both the economic profile and migration trends of affected states.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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