Within Families and Between Countries: Investigating the Lifespan of US Immigrants Compared to Origin, Destination and Non-Migrant Siblings in Cohorts from 1850 to 1890

Saverio Minardi, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna
Paul Puschmann, Radboud University Nijmegen
Nicola Barban, University of Bologna

In this research note, we explore the relationship between migration and lifespan for individuals born between 1850 and 1890 who migrated to the U.S from anywhere in the world. Using micro-level genealogical data from Familinx, our study compares the lifespans of migrants to those of the U.S.-born population, the non-migrant population in their countries of origin, and their non-migrant siblings. We employ sibling fixed effect models to investigate whether migrants enjoy survival advantages compared to their non-migrant siblings, considering that health and mortality are often clustered in families due to shared environments, behaviors, resources, and household dynamics. We also examine differences in the migrant mortality nexus across the main migrant groups of the time. Consistent with previous studies, we find a negative healthy migrant effect compared to U.S.-born individuals and a positive migrant effect compared to the origin populations and non-migrant siblings. Country-specific analysis reveals cross-country differences in these effects. The general negative effect compared to the U.S. population is predominantly driven by historically disadvantaged groups such as Irish and Eastern European migrants. All groups except the Irish experience a mortality advantage compared to their origin populations and siblings.

Keywords: Historical Demography, International Migration, Mortality and Longevity, Data and Methods

See paper.