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.
Recommended Citation
Ramchandra, Rashmi, "MIGRATION AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF THE DOBBS DECISION ON U.S. STATE-TO-STATE MIGRATION PATTERNS" (2024). Scripps Senior Theses. 2464.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/2464
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.