In the rural areas of developing countries, the children of poor families are at a disadvantaged position in the local marriage market. Labour migration may offer opportunities to find a suitable spouse because an acquaintance in the migration destination may emerge as a prospective spouse. This paper examines whether or not this happens in reality. Econometric analysis of the data of unmarried migrant workers in Phnom Penh indicated that those who do not expect their parents to give them land prefer marrying someone they meet in Phnom Penh rather than someone from their own place of origin. This suggests that those who encounter difficulties in finding a partner in their place of origins actively seek a spouse at the migration destination. The findings indicate that labour migration introduces changes in the formation of families, which consequently influences familial relationships. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Land inheritance Familial support Migration Cambodia marriage

labor migration rural area econometrics developing world Cambodia marriage migrant worker Phnom Penh