International Migration Research Articles

Tacit Skills of Return Migrants to Poland and Lithuania from the UK: Twenty Years After the May 2004 EU Enlargement

ABSTRACT This study investigates the reintegration of tacit skills among Polish and Lithuanian migrants returning from the UK amid Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a CAWI survey of 740 returnees, it explores the application of tacit skills acquired abroad in their origin countries’ labor markets. The research reveals the challenges return migrants face in utilizing their overseas-acquired skills, influenced by local labor market structures, employers’ attitudes, and individual experiences. The findings contribute to understanding the role of international migration in skill distribution and labor market dynamics, focusing on the personal and economic reintegration of return migrants.

International sanctions and emigration

In this first statistical analysis of how international sanctions affect international migration, we apply two estimation strategies, a panel difference-in-differences model and an event study approach. Our dataset covers 79,791 dyad-year observations, reflecting migration flows from 157 origin countries to 32 industrialized destination countries between 1961 and 2018. We find that UN and joint EU-US sanctions increase emigration from target countries by around 20 percent. Our event study results for joint EU-US sanctions imply a gradual increase in emigration throughout a sanction episode. The impact of UN sanctions on international migration is smaller and less persistent. Moreover, the effects are driven by target countries with limited freedom of political expression, where emigration substitutes for the costly voicing of dissent. Finally, there appear to be no systematic gender differences in the migration effect of sanctions.

On the fringes of empire? Rethinking suburbs as colonial spaces in early modern South and Southeast Asia

Abstract This survey challenges conventional perceptions of colonial suburbs in the early modern Indian Ocean world in general, and those under the rule of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in particular. Recent urban research advocates re-evaluating suburbs as intricate and diverse spaces, yet this shift has had limited impact on historical studies of early modern colonialism. The survey highlights the importance of recognizing suburban regions in eighteenth-century settlements such as Cape Town, Cochin, Colombo or Batavia, where significant population growth resulted from inter-Asian and internal migration. These areas fostered ethnic and cultural diversity, disrupting normative ideas of segregation. By shifting the analytical focus from the core to the periphery and exploring colonial histories from an outside-in perspective, the contribution emphasizes the potential of a more horizontal approach to sub/urbanity for understanding early modern colonial societies, encouraging scholars to delve into the intersection of ‘the imperial’ and ‘the urban’.

A Private Solution to a Public Problem: Domestic Migrant Workers

A Private Solution to a Public Problem: Domestic Migrant Workers

Internal mobility of international migrants in Europe: A critical literature review and research agenda

AbstractThis paper reviews the literature on the internal mobility of international migrants and their descendants in Europe from an interdisciplinary perspective. Europe is becoming increasingly diverse. Where international migrants live and move to after arriving in their destination country influences both individual life courses and macro‐level population compositions. So far, a comprehensive overview of internal mobility patterns and drivers among migrants is missing. The aim of this paper is threefold: first, to discuss the development of the field across disciplines; second, to present and reflect on the current state of knowledge of internal mobility of migrants in Europe, and third, to conclude by setting an agenda for future research. This paper stresses the importance of studying the internal mobility of migrant populations over their life courses, testing theories across migrant generations, doing more justice to population diversity, strengthening the link between the literature on internal and international migration, and finally, emphasises the need for comparative research.

Out‐of‐area home purchase and U.S. internal migration

AbstractThis study demonstrates that out‐of‐area (OOA) property transactions can serve as a proxy for migration. Using micro‐level transaction data, we document that about 35% of migrants make OOA property purchases. The goodness‐of‐fit between migration and OOA purchases is higher for aggregate migration measures and lower for migration flows between disaggregated areas. Furthermore, in most specifications, a one percent increase in OOA purchases is associated with an approximately one percent increase in migration. We characterize the monthly out‐migration from NYC zip codes to surrounding areas after the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic to demonstrate the high temporal and spatial resolution of OOA transaction data.

A Decomposition Analysis of Internal Migration Propensity Changes from 1980 to 2015 in Japan

A Decomposition Analysis of Internal Migration Propensity Changes from 1980 to 2015 in Japan

The European Commission and the migration-development nexus: accessing resources and increasing the mandate

ABSTRACT The migration-development nexus (MDN) denotes interdependencies between international migration and development. The article identifies six different causal relations between migration and development in the scientific literature and applies them to understand EU policy on the nexus. At EU level, the nexus often serves the central policy objective of limiting irregular migration to Europe, the so-called root causes approach. Yet, contrary to prior research, this article finds that an opposing nexus conceptualization that calls for enabling migration is actually the dominant causality promoted by the European Commission. Unlike studies that explain the dominance of the root causes approach as a lowest-common-denominator choice, this article argues that the Commission’s DGs also use the nexus strategically. They promote contradictory approaches, which however all call for an increased Commission mandate and financial resources, selectively omitting those nexus frames that would decrease their role. The migration literature often relegates the MDN to a sub-theme of migration policy. This study shows that MDN is central to the entire EU migration policy area and transpires much of its migration discourse. The nexus and its conceptualizations are thus instrumental for broader migration policy debates beyond the EU as they touch upon demographics, social security, and welfare questions.

Unravelling the Motivations behind Students’ Academic Migrations in Nepal: A Mixed-methods Approach

Background: Academic migration in Nepal is a complex phenomenon influenced by various factors that impact students' decision-making processes. Policymakers and educators need to understand these motivations. Methodology: This study investigates why Nepalese students are increasingly choosing to pursue academic opportunities abroad, and domestically. Using a mixed-methods approach, a cross-sectional time horizon was adopted in the Gulmi district of Lumbini province, Nepal. Results: Results show that factors like educational quality, educational opportunities, and career opportunities play a role in motivating academic migration; there is not a significant association between domestic and international academic migration plans with their educational purpose (p = .681), and with career purposes (p = .426). KII and FDG highlighted the lack of learning and earning schemes, demanded courses, technical training for practical courses, career opportunities, and job opportunities for students forced to migrate. Conclusion: The studies on academic migration highlight the complex factors driving students to seek education abroad, including attitudes towards staying in the host country, socio-economic and psychological impacts, and better career prospects. Economic considerations are a primary motivator, with personal attitudes and social networks also influential. For Nepalese students, interest in international migration is driven by perceived better quality of education, extra-curricular opportunities, and political stability. Chi-Square tests show no significant difference in migration plans based on educational or career purposes, indicating similar motivations for domestic and international migrants. Novelty: The study's strength is in identifying the multifaceted reasons behind students' decisions to migrate, which include economic, social, and personal factors. It highlights the role of students' attitudes as a mediator in their migration decisions, a nuanced aspect not widely explored in previous research. Furthermore, the Nepalese context provides a unique perspective on how local conditions and perceptions of opportunities abroad shape migration trends.

Friendly, not friends: migrant settlement and diverse social ties in Australian regional cities

ABSTRACT Visa policies and pathways are increasingly driving international migration to Australia’s regional and rural centres. Often embedded within a multicultural imaginary, notions of friendliness and neighbourliness are instilled in the ‘small town’ narratives of these regional cities. However, little is known about whether this friendliness translates to the formation of deeper, meaningful connections that create the conditions for a sense of belonging to emerge. Drawing on empirical data from two regional cities across Queensland, this research investigates the challenges and barriers to forming friendships between migrant communities and ‘local’ Australian residents. We explore how co-ethnic relationships, while significant, do not always benefit and bolster migrants’ sense of belonging in the regions. Instead, we argue that inter-ethnic friendships with other migrant communities offer pathways to belonging in regional contexts. In doing so, we challenge prevalent assumptions regarding the inherent value of co-ethnic ties and the tensions so often raised within inter-ethnic relations.

Internal migration and multidimensional wellbeing: a case study of North-South migration in Ghana

Abstract Migration is widely regarded as a principal form of activity available to many of the world’s poor to improve their household’s standard of living. This paper investigates whether and in what ways internal migrants benefit from moving within Ghana’s North-South migration context. This research uses an innovative multidimensional wellbeing framework to assess the effects of migration on migrants’ wellbeing based on six domains: living standards, health, education, community vitality, environmental resilience, and governance. The wellbeing survey of 251 northern Ghanaian migrants working in the informal economic sector within the Sunyani municipality discovered that although most migrants reported improved living standards, a majority could not attain overall wellbeing due to low health and education wellbeing scores. Exploring the relationship between income and wellbeing across domains, the study found a weak positive association, and the complex interplay of factors beyond income was evident. This study challenges the conventional perspective that equates income with the attainment of wellbeing and argues that a multidimensional wellbeing framework permits a more nuanced understanding of the impacts of migration. It highlights the need for the government to actively monitor and address the wellbeing of internal migrants within the Ghanaian context.

The Economic Decision of International Migration: Two Empirical Evidences from the United States and Canada

The Economic Decision of International Migration: Two Empirical Evidences from the United States and Canada

Drivers and outcomes of international migration on infrastructural development of Edo State, Nigeria

Drivers and outcomes of international migration on infrastructural development of Edo State, Nigeria

KESEMPATAN KERJA DAN PENDAPATAN: MIGRASI PENDUDUK INDRAMAYU SEBAGAI TKI DI TAIWAN

Indramayu, particularly in its district, faces the challenge of poverty, with a poverty rate of 14.29%. The percentage of the population living in poverty reaches 16.28%. In response to this situation, many residents of Indramayu choose to become overseas Indonesian workers (TKI) in Taiwan as a means to improve their families’ well-being. This study aims to understand employment opportunities and income earned by Indramayu migrants working in Taiwan. The research employs a literature review approach with a qualitative descriptive method. Findings reveal that the primary driver of international migration is the prospect of high-income employment. Migrants aspire to enhance their standard of living and secure better earnings. Additionally, the presence of relatives who have already migrated or settled in Taiwan serves as an attractive factor. While the direct physical impact on village development may not be immediately visible, significant social changes occur. Family education levels improve, new job opportunities emerge, and lifestyle shifts lead to an overall enhancement in quality of life. In summary, the migration of TKI workers from Indramayu to Taiwan has multifaceted implications for both societies.

Migration as an effect of russian aggression against ukraine: understanding the consequences

It has long been no secret that migration processes have a great impact on the number and composition of the population of all countries. These processes have always played and will play a multifaceted role in the development of mankind, acting as a form of human adaptation to the changing conditions of its existence. The war between Russia and Ukraine, which began back in 2014 with the occupation of Crimea along with some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, has serious far-reaching consequences, one of which is significant migration flows. As a result of hostilities, occupation, and invasion of Russian troops in February 2022, many Ukrainians were forced to seek refuge in other regions of the country or beyond. This led to the emergence of mass internal migration to relatively safe regions of Ukraine and unprecedented in the history of our country external migration to neighboring European states. Accordingly, these migration processes have a great impact on the demographic structure and social situation both in the receiving regions of Ukraine and in the countries that received Ukrainian refugees. It has been demonstrated that the main demographic risks faced by Ukraine pose a threat to stable socio-economic development and have become a serious challenge for Ukrainian society. The most urgent task of Ukrainian migration policy today is the development of political instruments that would encourage and facilitate the return of Ukrainian refugees to their homes. The article uses a systematic analysis based on statistical data of international and public organizations, and statesmen to determine the peculiarities of migration flows in war conditions; induction and deduction - to systematize the key causes and consequences of the migration of the population of Ukraine. The main emphasis is on the analysis of the impact of migration processes on the economic development of Ukraine, social stability and cultural identity of the population.

Minimum wage and internal labor migration: Evidence from China

We study the geographical allocation consequences of minimum wage, using individual-level migration data and the substantial variation over time in minimum wages across 262 counties in China. Our preferred specification shows that a 10% increase in the local minimum wage decreases the probability of outmigration by 1.52 percentage points. Using data from a major online recruitment platform, we further corroborate the main finding by showing that workers are less likely to search for a job in other cities when their city of residence experiences an increase in minimum wage.

Moving motivated by work or proximity to family and labour market outcomes in the Netherlands

The classical human-capital model of migration posits that internal migration should lead to improved individual labour market outcomes. However, later empirical and theoretical work has emphasised that the outcomes of migration may be positive for some, but negative for others, depending on, for example, gender and the motive for moving. We investigate the labour market outcomes after moves motivated by work, moves motivated by proximity to family, and moves motivated by both work and family at the same time, compared with not moving. We use data from the Netherlands’ Housing Surveys of 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018 matched with register data (N ~ 350,000 person-years). We find that men’s and women’s moves for work, and moves for both family and work, are positively associated with outcomes in terms of individual income, employment, and labour supply (hours worked). We do not find such positive associations for moves motivated by family proximity only, but we hardly find negative associations. We do not replicate the finding of previous research for Sweden that moves for family proximity were associated with an increased likelihood of transitions out of unemployment. However, we find some evidence that women’s moves motivated by both work and family proximity are associated with an increase in labour supply.

Air temperature change and drought effect on water tension and internal migration in Iran

Air temperature change and drought effect on water tension and internal migration in Iran

Lived religion and digital homemaking: The case of Indonesian marriage migrants

The article examines the intersection between two key fields in which international migrants respond to displacement and negotiate a sense of home: digital media and religion. The example chosen is the vlogging strategies used by Indonesian marriage migrants to navigate complex religious relationships with their followers and weave these into wider homemaking practices. The vlog analysis and in-depth interviews with the Indonesian marriage migrants in France and Belgium show that religion is an important element in constructing a sense of home in new locations. However, the immediacy of vlogs exposes them to religious expectations from followers back in Indonesia. As a result, homemaking is shaped by a complex interplay between the feelings of belonging and alienation in relation to their followers. Using vlogs, the marriage migrants seek to maintain control over their sense of home by building a mediated form of religious tolerance with their followers through adapted religious expressions in the vlogosphere.

Navigating ethnic capital and ethnic penalty: Chinese Muslim internal migrants in an international trade hub

ABSTRACT This article investigates how Chinese Hui Muslim internal migrants navigate the complexities of ethnic capital and ethnic penalty in their engagement with China-Arab international trade. On one hand, Hui Muslims leverage Arabic language learning opportunities within their community and benefit from religious affinity with foreign Muslims, enhancing their employment and entrepreneurial prospects. On the other hand, they face discrimination from the Han majority, Arab Muslims, and non-Muslim foreigners. Women, seen as “submissive” and “trustworthy”, find more expanded employment opportunities as interpreters for Arab merchants but face overt discrimination due to their Muslim attire. Notably, the Hui’s ethnic capital in the international trade market has diminished in recent years due to Arab merchants’ globalization efforts, such as adopting English for communication. This study contributes to the understanding of Chinese Muslims’ experiences in upward mobility amidst regional disparities and economic globalization.