Self-Selection among Emigrants: A Gender Perspective

Michal Sabah, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

This article examines gender differences in self selection among emigrants, and more particularly, gender specific linkage between education, occupation and emigration. My analysis focuses on Israel, an interesting case study regarding migration process where emigration of Jews from the state has been discouraged by governmental authorities since its establishment. A complex interaction between innovation and traditional forces and its outcomes on women's position in the local labor force increases the significance to research from a gender perspective. I use unique and innovative register-based emigration stock liked to the Labor Force Surveys for the years 2001-2007. The results of the preliminary analysis support the hypothesis that there is grater positive selectivity among women emigrants from Israel, with respect to education and occupation, than among men.