Exposure to Migration and Educational Attainment in the Sending Community: The Case of Left-behind Youth in Rural China, Thailand, and Nepal

Rural-to-urban migration has become a global phenomenon, but there is relatively limited research focusing on the sending communities and those left behind, especially children who are most susceptible to the impacts of mass migration. Using the data from rural communities in China, Thailand, and Nepal as case studies, this paper attempts to examine the association between the degree of migration of parent and non-parent household members and the educational attainment of left-behind youth in rural areas. The preliminary results from the China case show that exposure to parental migration is positively associated with educational attainment for the left-behind youth, while for non-parental household members’ migration, this association is negative. The remittances received and educational spending on the child mediate the association between exposure to migration and educational attainment. Whether the results extend beyond the Chinese context, as well as other similarities and differences across various countries, will be further examined. This empirical study provides several significant implications for policymakers and future studies: 1) the role that non-parent household members’ migration plays in left-behind youth’s education should not be overlooked, as they also serve as important caregivers contributing to the well-being of left-behind youth in the rural contexts; and 2) rather than the amount of remittance fees, it is critical to investigate the allocation of resources, as the spending on education is more protective in keeping children in school.