The economic welfare impacts of transnational clan networks: Evidence from transnational clan genealogies

Surnames with a higher presence of overseas Chinese in the same region exhibit the following characteristics: (1) better housing conditions, but no significant improvement in educational attainment or labor income; (2) a higher likelihood of economic dependency on other family members; (3) lower labor participation rates, shorter working hours, and a higher propensity for entrepreneurship. On the one hand, the economic support from overseas relatives improves the living conditions of local members but crowds out some of their investment in human capital and labor participation. On the other hand, the transnational clan networks provide access to overseas market information and financial support, facilitating engagement in export-oriented businesses and promoting entrepreneurial activities.