Using national household survey data and a real-world policy change in Sri Lanka, this study shows how restricting mothers’ international migration during early childhood is associated with improved health and educational outcomes for children, without reducing household income. Credit: Associate Professor Takuya Hasebe / Sophia University, Japan

International labor migration plays a vital role in supporting families across low- and middle-income countries, often providing a critical source of income for families back home. However, when mothers migrate abroad for work, young children may be left without steady parental care during important developmental stages. While this concern is widely discussed, there has been limited real-world evidence showing how policies that restrict maternal migration affect children’s outcomes.

A new study published in the World Development journal, examines this question by analyzing a migration policy introduced in Sri Lanka in 2013.

The policy restricted mothers with children under 5 years of age from migrating overseas for work. By comparing families affected by the policy with those who were not, the researchers assessed its impact on children’s health, education, and household income.

The study was led by Associate Professor Takuya Hasebe from Sophia University, Japan, with co-authors Yuma Noritomo from Cornell University, U.S., and Bilesha Weeraratne from the Institute of Policy Studies, Sri Lanka.

"This study assessed a policy that was actually implemented in Sri Lanka," says Dr. Hasebe. "We hope that its findings will contribute to ongoing discussions on migration policy in Sri Lanka and other countries."

To inspect the policy’s effects, the researchers used data from Sri Lanka’s Household Income and Expenditure Survey collected between 2009 and 2016. This nationally conducted survey includes detailed information on family structure, income sources, education, and health.

The team compared households affected by the policy with similar households that were not affected, both before and after the policy was introduced. This approach allowed them to isolate the effects of the migration restriction from broader economic or social trends.

The study focused on households with children between the ages of 2 and 10 years. Key outcomes included children’s hospital admissions and illness-related inpatient stays, as well as educational indicators, such as grade repetition, which refers to a child repeating the same school year.

The analysis showed that the policy led to fewer mothers migrating abroad for work and increased the likelihood that mothers remained at home with their young children. This change was associated with clear benefits for children’s well-being. Children in affected households experienced fewer hospital admissions and fewer illness-related inpatient stays, indicating improvements in overall health. Educational outcomes also improved, particularly for older siblings, who were less likely to repeat a school grade.

"These improvements can be understood as investments in human capital," explains Dr. Hasebe. "The effects are not merely temporary; the accumulation of human capital is likely to have lasting positive impacts on children’s future outcomes."

One common concern about restricting international migration is the potential loss of income from overseas remittances. However, the study found no overall decline in household income. While international payments decreased, this loss was largely offset by increased domestic income support, such as earnings from within the country or transfers from other household members.

The findings suggest that policies aimed at keeping mothers with young children at home may offer important social benefits. At the same time, the researchers caution that migration policies are complex and can have multiple effects beyond those captured in this analysis.

"Our analysis captures only one aspect of the policy," Dr. Hasebe notes. "A more comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach will be an important direction for future research."

Overall, by providing rare empirical evidence from a real-world policy intervention, the study adds an important perspective to global debates on migration, family welfare, and child development. It highlights how decisions about labor mobility can shape children’s lives in lasting ways—well beyond short-term economic considerations.

More information

Takuya Hasebe et al, Restricting mothers’ international migration and human capital investment, World Development (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107284

Citation: What a policy restricting mothers’ overseas migration in Sri Lanka means for children’s health and education (2026, February 3) retrieved 3 February 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-02-policy-restricting-mothers-overseas-migration.html

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