Metropolitan Social Networks and Migration: Insights From Facebook Connections
利用美国社区调查和Facebook社交连接指数，研究发现社交网络显著影响个人迁移决策，且效应在疫情期间更强，对来自低疫情地区的人影响更大。
ABSTRACT This paper investigates the role of social networks in shaping individual migration decisions in the U.S., with a particular focus on the COVID‐19 pandemic period. Using nationally representative migration data from the American Community Survey and the metropolitan‐level Social Connectedness Index from Facebook, I estimate a conditional logit model, employing historical ethnic distance as an instrumental variable to address endogeneity. The results indicate that social networks significantly influence migration choices, with heterogeneous effects across demographic groups and geographic settings. The effect is stronger for moves toward destinations heavily affected by COVID‐19 and for individuals originating from areas with lower pandemic exposure.