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Longing for which home: Evidence from global aspirations to stay, return or migrate onwards

Author

Listed:
  • Bekaert, Els

    (UNU-CRIS, Ghent University, Department of Economics)

  • Constant, Amelie F.

    (UNU-MERIT, GLO, CESifo and Princeton University)

  • Foubert, Killian

    (UNU-CRIS, Ghent University, Department of Economics)

  • Ruyssen, Ilse

    (UNU-CRIS, Ghent University, Department of Economics)

Abstract

Aspirations provide the underlying dynamics of the behavior of individuals whether they are realized or not. Knowledge about the characteristics and motives of those who aspire to leave the host country is key for both host and home countries to formulate appropriate and effective policies in order to keep their valued immigrants or citizens and foster their (re-)integration. Based on unique individual-level Gallup World Polls data, a random utility model, and a multinomial logit we model the aspirations or stated preferences of immigrants across 138 countries worldwide. Our analysis reveals selection in characteristics, a strong role for soft factors like social ties and sociocultural integration, and a faint role for economic factors. Changes in circumstances in the home and host countries are also important determinants of aspirations. Results differ by the host countries’ level of economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Bekaert, Els & Constant, Amelie F. & Foubert, Killian & Ruyssen, Ilse, 2021. "Longing for which home: Evidence from global aspirations to stay, return or migrate onwards," MERIT Working Papers 2021-035, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2021035
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economics of Immigrants; Geographic Labor Mobility; Public Policy; Micro-economic Behavior; International Migration; Large Data Sets; Modeling and Analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • C55 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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