Rationality of migration

The paradigm of a rational individual acting on the earnings-enhancing bene fits of migration is subjected to statistical scrutiny, using data from Tur key. Results with robust selectivity correction support the rationality hyp othesis: Both migrants and nonmigrants chose the option in which they had c omparative advantage. However, the estimated gain from moving is negative f or a substantial portion of migrants, whereas a minority realize very high returns. This suggests that migration is a lottery: Individuals are willing to invest in a proposition that has a high probability of yielding negativ e returns because of the potential for a very large payoff.