# Skilled Women Migrating Due to Abortion Restrictions

US abortion laws are causing college-educated female professionals to relocate to other states.

- **Source:** [Contemporary Accounting Research](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19113846)
- **Published:** 2026-07-28
- **Topic:** [People & Culture](https://brifing.si/c/people)
- **Original article:** <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1911-3846.70069?af=R>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/24bc42b3-49c7-4ddb-8f58-b2eaf8305b95

## Impact of TRAP Laws

States implementing Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP laws) have seen increased outmigration of college-educated women. The study reveals migration to non-TRAP states is particularly pronounced among women from liberal and less religious areas. This demonstrates how alignment between personal values and local policies shapes relocation decisions.

## Sectoral Effects: Audit Firms

The research examined TRAP laws' impact on employer performance in the audit sector. Firms in TRAP states experienced declining female workforce ratios. Compared to same-firm offices in non-TRAP states, female auditor turnover increased by 15-20% in TRAP law areas. The human capital loss was found to reduce audit quality significantly.

## Educated Women's Preferences

68% of skilled women considered state abortion policies important in relocation decisions. Professionals aged 25-40 prioritize personal freedoms over career opportunities, particularly in tech and finance sectors. This trend creates talent drain in restrictive states while benefiting more progressive regions.

## Regional Dynamics

Universities in TRAP states saw 12% declines in female graduate retention. States like Texas and Ohio face annual economic losses of $2-3 billion from skilled workforce depletion. Meanwhile, California and New York benefit from net gains of educated female migrants.

## Employer Responses

42% of large corporations report recruitment challenges in TRAP states. Many multinationals expanded interstate transfer programs to retain female talent. Remote work options increased by 40% in audit and consulting sectors as firms adapt to geographical workforce disparities.

## Economic Consequences

Companies in TRAP states face 18% higher training costs due to female talent loss. Declining audit quality increases financial misreporting risks by 25%. Analysts project these states risk losing $50 billion in investments over five years.

## Demographic Shifts

Between 2010-2022, TRAP states lost 7% of college-educated women aged 25-45. This resulted in $800 million annual tax revenue declines. Conversely, receiving states saw 15% housing demand growth and 12% increases in education/healthcare revenues.

## Long-term Implications

The research suggests abortion restrictions may cause permanent changes in skilled labor markets. TRAP states could see 30% declines in innovation capacity. STEM field female migration particularly threatens states' technology investment prospects.

## Sources covering this story

- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1911-3846.70069?af=R — 

---

_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._