International Migration Research Articles

Changes in International Migration to and from Australia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down international migration around the world, with many countries closing their international borders for a prolonged period of time. Although there are studies emerging that analyse the impact of COVID-19 and border control measures, more detailed migration flow data have been largely absent. In this research note, we examine changes to the patterns of immigration and emigration in Australia during the pandemic to further our understanding of the differing impacts of the pandemic on population groups. Foreign-born populations with large shares of international students recorded the highest declines in immigration, especially those from China, Malaysia, and South America. Immigration of seasonal workers from the Pacific Islands, on the other hand, exhibited increased levels. There were also unexpected situations where residents who made temporary visits outside Australia were unable to return, or persons who were visiting on short-term visas prolonged their stay. Results reveal how responsive migration can be to policies in a time of a population health crisis. The nuance and complexity of these patterns underscore the importance of migration dynamics, adding to our knowledge of the changing international migration profiles during the recent pandemic.

Childhood internal migration in Europe: Developments across cohorts and countries

AbstractInternal migration is the driving force behind population re‐distribution within countries. Although internal migration has been extensively studied among adults, little is known about patterns in childhood migration, and even less so in a comparative manner. This study, therefore, adopts a child‐centred approach and contributes to the literature by exploring cross‐national changes in childhood migration across birth cohorts. Moreover, it examines how patterns of childhood migration relate to the postponement of childbearing. Drawing on retrospective residential histories from the SHARE survey, we analyzed childhood migration trajectories of 178,476 individuals born between 1935 and 1994 in 28 European countries. Cohort analyses confirm a country gradient in childhood migration, with the highest migration rates in Northern Europe and the lowest in Southeastern Europe. Nonetheless, across nearly all countries, childhood migration has consistently declined since the 1970s. Furthermore, when children relocate, it happens at increasingly younger ages. Finally, we find that these patterns are related to the increasing childbearing age across Europe. Our results thereby highlight the interplay between childhood migration and adult family life's changing dynamics, offering a novel perspective on the link between these two demographic components.

International Student Mobility in the Context of Migration and Development

The impact of international student mobility on the development in countries of origin is an under-researched topic in migration studies. In a global knowledge economy, immigration countries in the Global North perceive international students almost exclusively as ideal immigrants who are (mostly) young, flexible, and highly skilled when they enter the labour market after graduation. However, international students can play an important role for their countries of origin. For instance, our own research on international students and alumni from selected countries in the Global South (Colombia, Georgia, Ghana, and Indonesia) studying in Germany and the United States shows that they transfer development-related knowhow back to their country of origin by doing diverse activities in leading positions. They do that through return migration as well as by remaining in the country of graduation (by creating transnational social networks from abroad) and through circular mobility. However, these processes need more institutional support. Therefore, international student mobility should be an integral part of global migration governance, where scholarships for students from poor countries are the key drivers for international mobility. These considerations can stimulate the broader discussion about international migration and development.

Internal Migration and Development in India

Internal Migration and Development in India

Europe and Arab States’ Migration-related Instruments with Africa: Dilemma of Soft Power and Conflictual Interests

The national and regional interests of the European Union, oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council and Africa are conflictual in addressing international labour migration. This underscores the structure and ineffectiveness of bilateral migration instruments. The European Union canvasses for migrants’ returns, readmission and outsourcing of national border controls; Arab states show reluctance to stop the predominant employer–sponsorship system that curtails labour migrants’ human rights, while African states detest migrants’ return and readmission, and prefer liberalisation of legal migration and flow of remittances. This article is anchored on the hegemonic stability and regime frame of interventionist liberalism theoretical perspectives to highlight Europe’s soft power in migration partnerships or agreements deployed via financial aid and development projects as a way to drive the migration-development-security nexus with African countries. Essentially, African states’ asymmetric economic relationship with Europe has accentuated the carrot-and-stick approach, while Arab states’ slow pace in allowing the mobility of African labour migrants has led to a reduction in remittance flows. It is recommended that the dialogues between the regional blocs and countries leading to labour migration agreements must find a common ground of mutual interests for effective partnerships to emerge.

Formation of the State Policy of Re-Emigration of Ukrainians: Problems and Prospects

The article examines the latest large-scale phenomenon on the territory of Ukraine - mass internal and external migration of the country's citizens, caused by the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation. The number and structure of migrations of citizens abroad, in particular by level of education, are outlined, and the directions of emigration are determined. The main problems faced by compatriots abroad and in case of returning to Ukraine are highlighted. The principles on which the future policy of re-emigration and reintegration of Ukrainians should be based are given. Incentives and tools that can encourage migrants to return to the Motherland are summarized. The main problems hindering the development of Ukraine have been identified, without solving which it is impossible to expect a mass return of citizens from abroad. The experience of the migration policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the international community, which joined in supporting this country and its citizens during the difficult times of the military conflict for the country, is presented. The main directions of the state policy of re-emigration are formulated based on the needs of returning citizens and the resolution of internal contradictions in the socio-economic development of Ukraine.

Exploring Internal Reverse Migration Patterns in Cumilla District, Bangladesh: A Case Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The study possesses two-fold objectives: first, to explain the nature of internal reverse migration in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic, and second, to explore the push-pull factors of it. This study used a qualitative analysis tool and conducted 04 case studies and 10 In-depth interviews of reverse migrants for case study-based analysis. the study found that the pandemic triggered the reverse migration of informal workers, particularly female workers. Livelihood crisis, food insecurity, unexpected shocks, health insecurity, low living costs, and fear of infection are push-pull factors of reverse migration during COVID-19. Furthermore, these push-pull factors have motivated informal workers to migrate from urban to rural areas during COVID-19. The findings recommend that policymakers should address the vulnerability of informal workers in policy decisions. Policymakers should introduce new programs, i.e., social protection, and emergency economic schemes to provide support to the informal workers during emergencies like COVID-19.

The effect of migration on economic and productivity growth in Russia

This research endeavors to delve into the impact of migration flows on the nation’s economic and productivity growth based on panel data from 80 Russian states for the period of 2015–2021. Our research aims to induce migration policies for the sustainable income and productivity growth of Russia. From the baseline regression analysis with state fixed effects and additional analysis with state random effects and the two-step system GMM, we found a positive impact of migration growth rate on per capita and TFP and the heterogeneity of its effects depending on the Russian regions. It indicates that migration outflows negatively influence the regional economies of Russia and suppress regional economic growth and the positive effects of migration inflows are the strongest shown in less populated states in the Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts. This is evidence of the negative effects of migration outflows, which are summarized by the exodus of labor and the loss of tax revenues. The Russian government should implement migration policies both in international and domestic contexts to attract migrants, considering that Russia suffers from outflows of skilled workers to other countries and unbalanced domestic migration flows to west Russia. To reduce migration outflows of workers to other countries, quality jobs should be created (through an increase in R&D), and other incentives and subsidies can be provided to encourage emigrants to return to Russia. For the migration inflows of small regions in Russia, domestic and foreign investment should be promoted to create jobs and establish infrastructure, which can also help slow down immigration from these regions.

Deciphering Tribal Migration through the Pages of Contemporary Literary Narratives in Translation

Migration, encompassing both international and internal movements, is a multifaceted and pervasive global phenomenon with social, economic and cultural implications. The internal migration of tribal population in India is one such movement that opens up avenues of discussion regarding the socio-cultural, economic and political impact of migration. Tribal migration currently in India, is propelled by the complex interplay of push and pull factors. The proposed paper intends to conduct a comprehensive analysis of tribal migration with the help of literary narratives written in regional literature translated to English. The study situates the selected texts in the framework of migration studies to examine the dynamics of tribal migration in India. While the existing studies problematize the event of tribal migration, the current examination endeavours to broaden its scope by analyzing both the challenges and benefits of migration for the tribal population in India. The study underscores that migration for education empowers the younger generation of tribal population from their disempowerment and marginalisation, owing to the fact that it would enable intercultural transactions and social exposure. Further, it foregrounds the tribal actuality of forced migration that ultimately accentuate their existing deprivation. An understanding of the aforementioned dual dynamics of tribal migration would enhance the contemporary social policies aiming at tribal empowerement.

Ride-hailing drivers’ working conditions and social protection in China

ABSTRACT This article aims to examine ride-hailing drivers’ working conditions and social protection in China. Through interviews with 25 ride-hailing drivers in Beijing, we found that their working conditions are precarious, stressful, surveilled, and their social protection exhibits features of inadequacy and fragmentation. They are excluded from social insurance for urban employees due to the lack of a formal employment relationship. Instead, they largely participate in the medical insurance for residents, but its insurance benefits are much lower than those for urban employees. Furthermore, citizens’ participation in residents’ medical insurance is determined by their hukou (i.e. household registration) residency. Internal migrant drivers are only entitled to be insured at their origin where their hukou is located. Despite working in the same occupation and living in the same city, internal migrant drivers and Beijing-native drivers have distinct social insurance benefits. Thus, we propose the binary classification of de jure/de facto residency, which contributes to a deeper understanding of social protection for non-standard forms of employment.

REGULATION OF LABOR MIGRATION IN ENSURING THE WELFARE OF SOCIETY

In research on migration processes in the world, including migration humanization and regulation of processes, migration three-way approach to organization of management and development of migration policy cooperation in exit, development of multilateral bases of labor migration exit, improving human rights-based management of international migration, various negative effects of social factors on labor migration prevention of consequences and their elimination, migrants by the state promotes the need to improve the protection system.

Information frictions, belief updating and internal migration: Evidence from Ghana and Uganda

Information frictions about benefits of migration can lead to inefficient migration choices. We study the effects of randomly assigned information treatments concerning regional income differentials in Ghana and Uganda to explore participants’ belief updating and changes in internal migration intentions, destination preferences, and actual migration. Treated participants prefer higher income destinations, while effects on intent plausibly follow subjects’ initial under- or overestimation of potential gains, with asymmetric updating propensities. Effects persist for 18 months, and discussions with others about migrating increase, but actual migration does not. Knowledge about income affects intentions and destination choices, but barriers to actual relocation are complex.

International Trade Liberalization and Domestic Institutional Reform: Effects of WTO Accession on Chinese Internal Migration Policy

Abstract Economic institutions that impede factor mobility become more costly when an economy experiences substantial transitions such as trade liberalization. I study how trade triggers changes in labor institutions that regulate internal migration in the context of China’s Hukou system. Using a newly collected dataset on prefecture-level migration policies, I document an increase in promigrant regulations following WTO entry and estimate the impact of prefecture-level tariffs on exports on migration regulations from 2001 to 2007. I find that regions facing more export market liberalization enacted more migrant-friendly regulations.

Reducing the oil absorption and tailoring starch properties in banana slices by integrated ultrasound in infrared frying

The reduction of oil absorption and modifications of starch properties in infrared fried (IF) banana slices by integrated ultrasound was investigated with power levels ranged 600–1000 W. Results showed that the internal moisture migration in IF banana slices were enhanced by ultrasonication, the crust development was delayed and finally formed with a thinner layer and higher uniformity. Both the pore volume and the porosity of IF samples were reduced by the integrated ultrasound, while the accounts of pores with diameters 100–250 μm and 0.02–1 μm has been increased. The total oil uptake in IF samples was reduced by 1.5%–9.4% and both the surface and structural oil was decreased by the ultrasound. The order of starch in long range and short range in IF banana slices were reduced by the integrated ultrasound, while the formation of starch-lipid complex was increased, which leading to the prolonged starch digestion time.

COVID-19, Internal Transitions and Vulnerable Citizens: Narratives of the Migrant Crisis in India during the Pandemic

This article illustrates how the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic led to an internal migrant crisis in India, making the country realise the presence of physical borders within itself. Through a narrative analysis of the chronicles of internal migrant workers and the migrant crisis published in print media during the first wave of COVID-19, this article elucidates how internal borders within a country became impermeable, affecting the rights and well-being of vulnerable citizens, who were labelled ‘disease carriers’. The discrimination and othering faced by migrants aggravated during this period, making them more prone to fall through the cracks of the crisis. Although mobility restrictions were important public health tools to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 infections, they undoubtedly exacerbated the pre-existing socio-economic inequities and vulnerabilities. Problematising these aspects of the migrant crisis during the pandemic, this article proposes migration policies and governance through effective public communication, inclusive decisions and human rights as a way forward.

Do languages matter? The impact of local dialect proficiency on multidimensional poverty alleviation among rural-to-urban migrants in China

Language plays a crucial role in poverty among migrants. However, the relationship between language skills and poverty among internal migrants in developing countries has received limited attention. Using data from 11,789 rural-to-urban (RTU) migrants in the China Migrants Dynamic Survey, this study empirically assesses the impact of local dialect proficiency (LDP) on multidimensional poverty alleviation among migrants and further investigates potential mediators of this association. The results indicate that enhanced LDP significantly reduces the prevalence of multidimensional poverty among RTU migrants, with speaking proficiency having a more significant effect than listening proficiency. Moreover, three key mechanisms contribute to multidimensional poverty alleviation through LDP: the expansion of social networks, enhancement of urban identity, and improvement of employment quality. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that the impact of LDP on multidimensional poverty alleviation is more significant in regions characterized by higher dialect diversity and lower popularity of Mandarin, as well as among males, older generations, and RTU migrants with lower levels of education. In conclusion, this study advances understanding of the role of language proficiency in poverty alleviation among migrants by constructing a cultural-linguistic theoretical framework.

Exploring risky health behaviors and vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases among transnational undocumented labor migrants from Bangladesh: a qualitative study

BackgroundIn Bangladesh, remittances constitute a substantial portion of the country’s foreign exchange earnings and serve as a primary source of income. However, a considerable number of Bangladeshi citizens reside overseas without proper documentation, exposing them to significant challenges such as limited access to healthcare and socioeconomic opportunities. Moreover, their irregular migration status often results in engaging in risky health behaviors that further exacerbate their vulnerability. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the risky health behavior and HIV/STI susceptibility of Bangladeshi irregular international migrants residing across the globe with undocumented status.MethodsUsing a qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Approach (IPA), 25 illegal migrants were interviewed who are currently living illegally or returned to their home country. The author used a thematic approach to code and analyze the data, combining an integrated data-driven inductive approach with a deductive approach. Concurrent processing and coding were facilitated by employing the Granheim model in data analysis.ResultsThe study identified four risky health behaviors among irregular Bangladeshi migrants: hazardous living conditions, risky jobs, suicidal ideation, and tobacco consumption. Additionally, the authors found some HIV/STI risk behavior among them including engaging in unprotected sex, consuming alcohol and drugs during sexual activity, and having limited access to medical facilities.ConclusionsThe findings of this study can be used by health professional, governments, policymakers, NGOs, and concerned agencies to develop welfare strategies and initiatives for vulnerable undocumented migrant workers.

Geospatial Assessment of Urban Sprawl: A Case Study of Herat City, Afghanistan

This study aims to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of urban sprawl in Herat City, Afghanistan, from 2000 to 2021 using GIS and remote sensing data (Landsat 7 and 8). In this study, three machine learning algorithms, namely Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Classification and Regression Trees (CART), were employed to classify the study area, and the accuracy of each algorithm for each study period was assessed. Based on the assessment results, the RF algorithm demonstrated higher accuracy and was selected as the classification algorithm. The Google Earth Engine cloud platform was utilized to classify the study area, and the GIS environment was employed for the creation of thematic layers. The analysis revealed a 30.06% increase in built-up areas from 2000 to 2021. Conversely, vegetation, water bodies, and bare land decreased by 8.51%, 1.08%, and 20.53%, respectively, during the same period. The findings indicated that Herat City experienced high-speed expansion between 2000 and 2013, while from 2013 to 2021; it developed at a medium speed. The Relative Shannon's entropy statistical algorithm was employed to quantify urban sprawl, and the results suggest a dispersed urban sprawl pattern. Internal migration to major cities due to conflicts, limited employment opportunities, and inadequate living amenities in rural areas has been a primary driver of urban sprawl in Herat City, Afghanistan.

Frictions between familism and neoliberalism: exploring the intergenerational ambivalence narratives of migrant older parents in China

ABSTRACT This article explores the narratives of Chinese migrant older parents and addresses how the interplay between familism and neoliberalism, as structural forces behind older parents migrating to reside with their adult children, influences their perceptions of intergenerational relationships in the context of internal migration in China. Adopting the intergenerational ambivalence perspective, this study thus analyzes the connections between participants’ lived experiences and the structural forces and processes. The empirical data are drawn from 16 semi-structured interviews with 10 migrant older parents in Shenzhen. Through narrative and thematic analyzes, three main areas of intergenerational ambivalence are identified, which were expressed through how they talk about: (1) their adult children; (2) the childcare work they provided; (3) their expectation about filial care. These narratives highlight a strong focus on the younger generation’s socioeconomic success, with older parents inscribing themselves the role of supporting them to achieve this goal. This entails a change in the norms that regulate intergenerational relationships in contrast to the traditional direction of obligation around filial piety. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates that the intergenerational ambivalences experienced by migrant older parents are created by their unfavourable positions across two incompatible systems: the neoliberal state-capitalist economy and unchanged family-based welfare/care regime.

Effects of internal migrants' health on economic resilience in China's Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration: moderating effects of basic public health services.

Internal migrants constitute a significant generality in the socioeconomic development of developing countries. With the frequent occurrence of major public health emergencies, obstacles to labor supply due to health issues among internal migrants not only affect their livelihood stability but also urban economic resilience. Moreover, the design of basic public health service systems tends to favor local residents over internal migrants, further exacerbating the health and employment risks of internal migrants. As a result, urban economic resilience faces significant challenges. The objective of this study was to deconstruct economic resilience into economic resistance and recovery abilities, investigate the net effect and its heterogeneity of internal migrants' health on economic resilience in China's Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (CYRD), and the mediating effect from labor participation rate and labor time supply, as well as the moderating effect of basic public health services. Based on the China Migrants Dynamic Survey data (CMDS), the study empirically estimated the effects of internal migrants' health on economic resilience in CYRD through microeconometric analysis methods, mediating and moderating effect model. Our findings indicate that internal migrants' health has a positive effect on economic resilience in CYRD. For each unit increase in migrants' health, it will drive up the average economic resistance ability by 0.0186 and the average recovery ability by 0.0039. Secondly, the net effects of migrants' health on economic resilience show significant structural differences, industry and city heterogeneity. The effect of migrants' health on economic resistance ability is significantly higher than that on economic recovery ability; The effect of migrants' health on economic resilience of the secondary industry is higher than that of the tertiary industry; The cities with high economic resistance and recovery abilities have more prominent positive effect from migrants' health. Thirdly, migrants' health not only has a direct effect on the economic resistance and recovery abilities, but also has a mediating effect on which through labor participation rate and labor time supply. Enhancing the accessibility and quality of basic public health services is beneficial for enhancing the positive effects of internal migrants' health on economic resilience.