Stata replacing values as ..( read as 1) upon merging

[Kanika Dua]

Hello,

I have a basic doubt which I tried searching online but could not find an answer to. Upon merging two datasets in STATA, when I cross-check the merged variable (which in my case is unemployment(emp)), the STATA on its own replaces value of that merged variable to ".." which takes value 1 as shown below. I am not able to understand why this is happening.

"Belarus_2015" 4
"Belarus_2018" 23
"BosniaandHerzegovina_2000" 1
"BosniaandHerzegovina_2003" 1
"BosniaandHerzegovina_2006" 15
"BosniaandHerzegovina_2009" 12
"BosniaandHerzegovina_2012" 17
"BosniaandHerzegovina_2015" 18
"BosniaandHerzegovina_2018" 13
"Brazil_2000" 1
"Brazil_2003" 4
"Brazil_2006" 36
"Brazil_2009" 40
"Brazil_2012" 35
"Brazil_2015" 35
"Brazil_2018" 7
"BruneiDarussalam_2000" 1
"BruneiDarussalam_2003" 1
"BruneiDarussalam_2006" 1
"BruneiDarussalam_2009" 1
"BruneiDarussalam_2012" 1
"BruneiDarussalam_2015" 1
"BruneiDarussalam_2018" 34
"Bulgaria_2000" 17
"Bulgaria_2003" 8
"Bulgaria_2006" 33
"Bulgaria_2009" 31
"Bulgaria_2012" 10
"Bulgaria_2015" 36
"Bulgaria_2018" 27
"China_2000" 25
"China_2003" 23
"China_2006" 18
"China_2009" 18
"China_2012" 26
"China_2015" 1
"China_2018" 25
"CostaRica_2000" 30
"CostaRica_2003" 27
"CostaRica_2006" 25
"CostaRica_2009" 33
"CostaRica_2012" 38
"CostaRica_2015" 34




Any clue would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Kanika