Emigration and employment impacts of a disastrous earthquake: country of birth matters

Two earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, 2010–11 caused 185 casualties, demolished much of the inner-city and significant job losses. We examine one form adjustment to these outcomes: (international) emigration. Using a difference-in-difference approach, we analyse employment emigration responses Christchurch workers relative matched elsewhere. also heterogeneity across subgroups defined by sex, age country birth. Significant occurs following second (more severe) earthquake mirroring loss patterns. Effects differ sex age, birth with foreign-born more likely emigrate than locally born.