Migration Survey Research Articles

Private Educational Expenditure Inequality between Migrant and Urban Households in China’s Cities

This paper studies households’ expenditure on the education of children in China’s cities to assess how internal migrant families’ investment in the human capital of their offspring differs from that of local urban families. The private education-related expenditure reflects both households’ willingness to invest in human capital and institutional constraints, as China’s household registration (hukou) system prevents children without a local city hukou from enrolling in urban public schools. In-school fees (consisting of statutory tuition and institutional tuition fees) are commonly topped-up with substantial private tutoring expenditure. We apply multiple regression to the 2008 “Rural–Urban Migration Survey in China” data to analyze the average expenditure differences between temporary migrants, permanent migrants and locals. The findings are, after controlling for social and economic characteristics, that: (1) the overall spending on education of migrant households overwhelmingly exceeds that of locals, which is expected since migrants must finance privately all education-related expenses their children incur; (2) migrant households spend more on institutional tuition fees compared to households with a local city hukou, reflecting the varying severity of administrative hurdles faced by families; and (3) temporary migrants spend more on institutional tuition fees than permanent migrant households, but less in private tutoring.

Mars' North Polar Spiral Trough Migration Paths as Revealed Through 3D Radar Mapping

AbstractWe present observations and maps of Mars' northern polar spiral trough migration paths (TMPs) as revealed through the 3D SHARAD (Shallow Radar) data volume, identify patterns of TMP morphology, and provide interpretations and implications of these TMPs on past climate. This data set provides additional spatial context over traditional 2D data as it allows for radargrams to be taken perpendicular to each trough strike, which minimizes distortion of migration paths due to oblique viewing geometry. Here, we present an expanded survey of trough migration and analysis of surface troughs across the north polar layered deposits. We corroborate many previous observations of trough migration such as: the general poleward and stratigraphically upward migration from the TMP initiation point; the broadly similar depth of trough initiation across the cap; regional variability in TMP morphology; and the presence of buried promontories. Our results support the presence of two generations of troughs, though we cannot confirm that the oldest generation originated deeper than ∼600 m beneath the current surface, as previously reported. Two generations of troughs suggest that climate conditions favorable for initiation of trough migration have occurred at least twice. Trough initiation occurring only in the upper ∼600 m suggests that troughs are relatively recent features in the polar cap, developing after the formation of ∼half the current cap height. The mapped TMPs provide insight into the consistency of Mars' climate during the accumulation of the past few hundred meters of ice by recording the boundary of erosion and accumulation of ice at the troughs.

Russian-speaking migration to Latin America: new trends

The article considers new trends of migration from the former Soviet Union to Latin American countries. The main channels of Russian-speaking migration are highlighted: marital, fertile, labour, digital nomadic migration, forced migrants. The statistical data of Latin American countries and the data of sociological survey of Russian-speaking migrants in Brazil and Argentina are analyzed. Estimates on the size of the Russian-speaking population in key Latin American countries are given. The role of Internet communications in the adaptation and consolidation of Russian-speaking migrants in the context of the idea of forming a “Russian-speaking social space” is highlighted. The article also describes the key barriers (administrative, cultural, linguistic) faced by migrants from the former Soviet Union in the process of integration into the host societies of Latin American countries.

Association between HTLV-1/2 infection and COVID-19 severity in a migrant Shipibo-Konibo population in Lima, Peru.

The migrant community of the Shipibo-Konibo indigenous people in Lima, Peru were extremely vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) is endemic in this population causing immunosuppression. The aim of the study was to describe the association between HTLV-1/2 infection and the clinical severity of COVID-19. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving a survey of adult Shipibo-Konibo indigenous migrants residing in Cantagallo-Rímac who were identified as suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Blood samples were collected for SARS-CoV-2 antibody and HTLV-1/2 ELISA testing. A confirmatory Western Blot test was performed for those with a positive ELISA test. A total of 182 individuals were surveyed and sampled. No significant association was found between HTLV-1/2 infection and the clinical severity of COVID-19. The prevalence of HTLV-1/2 was 8.8% (95%CI: 5.0-14.1) with Western Blot. Age was the only statistically significant risk factor for developing a more severe form of COVID-19 (OR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.00-1.06; p = 0.032). There was no association found between HTLV-1/2 infection and the clinical severity of COVID-19. The prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection in the Shipibo-Konibo population is high and warrants continuous monitoring in the advent of other infectious disease outbreaks and the development of HTLV-associated comorbidities.

Standard of Living of Migrant and Non-Migrant Households in Kerala: a Comparative Study Based on Migration Survey 2018

Standard of Living of Migrant and Non-Migrant Households in Kerala: a Comparative Study Based on Migration Survey 2018

Delving the influence of socio-economic, demographic and migration factors on utilization of remittances in the agricultural sector in a high out-migrating region in India

In developing nations, remittances play a vital role in the development of the society. Remittances serve as a substantial income stream for rural households, empowering them to invest in farming activities, procure resources, and enhance their overall quality of life. This study focuses on investigating remittance utilization patterns in agriculture and how do socio-economic, demographic and migration factors influence remittance utilization patterns in agriculture in the Middle Ganga Plain region (Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) of India? The study utilizes the data from the Middle Ganga Plain (MGP) migration survey (2021) conducted by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai. With the help of bivariate analysis, the study explores the relationship between socioeconomic and migration characteristics and the utilization of remittances in the agricultural sector. The Chi-Square test validates the findings, followed by a Binomial Logistic Regression Model for further analysis. The study reveals that marginalized social groups are more inclined to use remittances for agriculture due to their active involvement in agriculture. Furthermore, households with larger landholdings demonstrate an increased likelihood of remittance utilization across all agricultural sectors. Additionally, it was observed that remittances in agriculture were more prevalent among female-headed households. Moreover, parents who are recipients of remittances tend to allocate their funds to agricultural activities. The significant positive correlation between monthly remittance receivers and total agricultural expenses underscores the importance of remittances in rural development. This study provides valuable insights into remittance utilization patterns and associated factors in the agricultural sector, highlighting the need for targeted policies and interventions to enhance the efficient and effective use of remittances in agriculture, ultimately contributing to rural economic growth and development.

Duration of stay and the integration of migrants: (un)obvious relationships

The article presents the results of a study of the relationship between the duration of stay and the type of migration strategies with various aspects of the integration of migrants from post-Soviet states in Russian society. It is analyzed how at different time intervals (up to 5 years, after 5–10 years, after 10 years from the beginning of migration) improvements occur in status, quality of life, transnational connections (in relation to integration, a decrease in their “density”), language skills, interethnic contacts, the formation of Russian identity among long-term and circular external migrants. A research model is used that includes “relevant conditions” for each integration indicator. The empirical basis of the study was based on data from a nationwide survey of labor migrants conducted by the Center for Ethnopolitical and Regional Studies in 19 constituent entities of the Russian Federation (2017, sample of 7417 respondents). The results of the study show that changes in the status and frequency of interethnic contacts are not associated with duration of stay for either long-term or circular migrants, even when integration conditions are added to the analysis. The “density” of transnational connections changes significantly over time (the peak occurs between 5–10 years after the start of migration, and after 10 years it decreases), however, the interpretation of this connection requires further investigation. “Time” is positively related to such indicators of integration as language skills, quality of life, and identity formation. These connections do not disappear when “relevant conditions” of integration are added to the analysis, however, it is concluded that the duration of stay in itself is not a factor in progress in integration, but acts “together” with the context of migration, the motivation of the actors, their individual capabilities and available resources. resources that determine the trajectory and pace of the integration process.

Food security among female migrant workers in Kerala returning from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

This paper seeks to enhance our comprehension of the interplay between COVID-19, international labour migration, and food security. The primary objective is to discern food security characteristics among female migrant workers (FMWs) returning to Kerala from Gulf countries, particularly under heightened social and economic uncertainties shared with male migrant workers (MMWs). This study conducted in the state of Kerala, India, examines the food security perceptions of Gulf migrants using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Samples of both returning FMWs and MMWs were identified through snowball sampling from the latest Kerala Migrant Survey (KMS) 2018 and Return migrant survey 2021. Oversampling was conducted for return FMWs, otherwise only constituting 20 per cent of the random sample. A total of 1154 samples were collected across all 14 districts in Kerala. The analysis indicates that food insecurity was not prevalent among the majority but was significant among a minority of surveyed migrant workers. The results also show that while FMWs experience food insecurity as a lack of access to food variety, MMWs experience food insecurity in the access to food varieties and the absolute quantity of food.

Refugees', asylum seekers' and migrants' experiences of finding meaningful work in the Australian construction industry: a Bourdieusean analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital–Field–Habitus to explore how refugees, asylum seekers and migrants accumulate and mobilise social, cultural, symbolic and economic capital to find meaningful work in the Australian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports the results of a survey of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who have either successfully or unsuccessfully searched for employment in the Australian construction industry.FindingsThe findings dispel widely held negative stereotypes of about this group by describing a highly capable workforce which could address significant skills shortages in the industry, while concurrently diversifying the workforce. However, it is found that refugees, asylum seekers and migrants face considerable barriers to finding meaningful employment in the construction industry. In circumventing these barriers, education institutions, charities and community-based organisations play an especially important role, alongside friends and family networks. They do this by helping refugees, asylum seekers and migrants accumulate and deploy the necessary capital to secure meaningful work in the construction industry. Disappointingly, it is also found that the construction industry does little to help facilitate capital accumulation and deployment for this group, despite the urgent need to address diversity and critical skills shortages.Originality/valueEmploying Pierre Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital–Field–Habitus, the findings make a number of new theoretical and practical contributions to the limited body of international research relating to the employment of refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers in the construction. The results are important because meaningful employment is widely accepted to be the single most factor in the successful integration of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants into a host society and the construction industry represents an important source of potential employment for them.

Music-making facilitates acculturation and reduces acculturative stress: Evidence from a survey of migrants living in Germany

Beneficial effects of music on wellbeing and group cohesion are well established. Furthermore, participation in music groups has been shown to be associated with increased orientation to the host culture, while orientation to culture of origin appears to remain unaffected. In order to gain insight into the effects of music activities on acculturative stress in adult migrants, a group of musically active migrants to Germany ( n = 80) was compared with migrants who had never played a musical instrument ( n = 86). We saw that music group members ( n = 42) reported lower levels of acculturative stress and a stronger orientation to mainstream culture compared to participants who are not actively making music. The association between music group membership and acculturative stress was mediated by orientation to host culture. Solo-musicians ( n = 38) did not differ from group-musicians and musically non-active subjects. We found no differences in orientation to the culture of origin between the study groups. The findings suggest that (group) music making can support acculturation processes in migrants.

Health selection into migration from Poland to the Netherlands: a matched case–control analysis

ABSTRACT This study sheds light on health selection into migration from Poland to the Netherlands. Scholars have highlighted health as an important resource to overcome barriers to migration, and suggested that health selection into migration may particularly be expected under specific conditions, e.g. when geographical distances between origin and destination countries are large and when immigration policies in the destination country are restrictive. I assessed whether health selection into migration was also present in a within–European Union migration flow to which such conditions do not apply. I analyzed data from four surveys of Polish migrants in the Netherlands (n = 1,210) and European Social Survey data on Polish natives who stayed in Poland (n = 1,843). I performed conditional logistic regression analyses for matched case–control groups to model health selection into migration. Better health status was associated with a greater propensity to migrate from Poland to the Netherlands. Additional research is needed to determine whether the lower expected returns on migration for people in suboptimal health make them less inclined to migrate than their healthier counterparts, also in the absence of restrictive immigration policies and excessive geographical distances between origin and destination countries.

Prevalence of perceived discrimination, determinants and associations with self-rated general and sexual health, healthcare utilization and self-perceived integration: a cross-sectional survey of migrants in Sweden

BackgroundSweden has welcomed migrants, but attitudes have shifted, becoming hostile due to populism and the growing number of migrants. This has left migrants feeling unwelcome and marginalized. Few studies have examined the extent to which migrants perceive discrimination, who, why, where and its relationships with different outcomes. This study has two aims: to assess the prevalence, reasons, and determinants of perceived discrimination among migrants (1) and its associations with self-rated health, sexual health, healthcare use, and integration (2).MethodsWe analysed data from a 2018 survey on migrants’ sexual and reproductive health and rights. The survey included 1740 migrants aged 16 or older. We used descriptive and log-binomial regression analyses to estimate prevalence, crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsAbout 36% of participants perceived discrimination in Sweden, with ethnic origin (62%) and religion (35%) as main reasons. Perceived discrimination occurred in public spaces (47%), schools (33%), internet (20%), work (19%), public services (18%), residential areas (16%), and healthcare settings (10%). Migrant men (APR: 1.26, CI:1.07–1.49), born in Middle East and North Africa (APR: 1.57, CI:1.26–1.95) and South Asia (APR: 1.61, CI:1.27–2.04) regions, with more than 12 years of education (APR: 1.33, CI:1.10–1.60), a non-heterosexual orientation (APR: 1.21, CI: 1.02–1.43), a non-Christian religion (APR: 1.41, CI: 1.10–1.80), economic stress (APR:1.67, CI: 1.44–1.93) or Swedish language skills (APR: 1.24, CI:1.07–1.43) perceived discrimination more than their counterparts. In contrast, the oldest participants (46 years or more) perceived less discrimination (APR:0.55, CI: 0.37–0.80) than the youngest ones (16–25 years). Moreover, perceived discrimination was associated with poor self-rated general (APR:1.72, CI: 1.45–2.04) and sexual health (APR:1.40, CI:1.2–1.64), integration (APR:1.25, CI:1.14–1.37), and healthcare access (APR: 1.48, 1.16–1.89).ConclusionsThis study shows that migrants in Sweden face widespread perceived discrimination based on ethnicity and religion. This can affect their health, healthcare use, and social integration. The study calls for policies and interventions that tackle systemic perceived discrimination, foster inclusion, and guarantee equal opportunities in accessing healthcare and resources for migrants. It also urges support for vulnerable groups who perceive more discrimination, such as migrants from certain regions or under economic stress.

Climate change as a veiled driver of migration in Bangladesh and Ghana

People living in deltaic areas in developing countries are especially prone to suffer the effects from natural disasters due to their geographical and economic structure. Climate change is contributing to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events affecting the environmental conditions of deltas, threatening the socioeconomic development of people and, eventually, triggering migration as an adaptation strategy. Climate change will likely contribute to worsening environmental stress in deltas, and understanding the relations between climate change, environmental impacts, socioeconomic conditions, and migration is emerging as a key element for planning climate adaptation. In this study, we use data from migration surveys and econometric techniques to analyse the extent to which environmental impacts affect individual migration decision-making in two delta regions in Bangladesh and Ghana. The results show that, in both deltas, climatic shocks that negatively affect economic security are significant drivers of migration, although the surveyed households do not identify environmental pressures as the root cause of the displacement. Furthermore, environmental impacts affecting food security and crop and livestock production are also significant as events inducing people to migrate, but only in Ghana. We also find that suffering from environmental stress can intensify or reduce the effects of socioeconomic drivers. In this sense, adverse climatic shocks may not only have a direct impact on migration but may also condition migration decisions indirectly through the occupation, the education, or the marital status of the person. We conclude that although climate change and related environmental pressures are not perceived as key drivers of migration, they affect migration decisions through indirect channels (e.g., reducing economic security or reinforcing the effect of socioeconomic drivers).

Exploring return intentions from the young migrant’s point of view

Purpose: This paper investigates migration behaviors of young migrants to identify the main factors influencing their return intentions. Recognizing that return migration decision-making is a complex and multidimensional process, the paper sheds light on two under-researched topics in migration literature: return migration intentions and young migrants. Methodology: Using a mixed theory approach that accounts for both individual and contextual factors as determinants of possible return, the paper utilizes data obtained through surveys of Croatian migrants. It proposes an ordered logit regression model based on three composite variables—economic success, social integration, and cultural shock—to calculate the return intention probability. Results: The results show that the variables of economic success, social integration, and cultural shock, which were determined through factor analysis, play a significant role in shaping return migration intentions. In particular, the perceived level of social integration has the most significant influence on the likelihood of intention to return, indicating that young migrants are not solely or predominantly motivated by economic factors. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the factors influencing migrants’ return intentions overlap, and as a result, no single theory is adequate for providing a comprehensive understanding of young migrants’ return intentions. For the majority of Croatian migrants, it seems that the myth of return does not exist; they do not plan to return. These findings constitute a valuable foundation for developing migration policy recommendations for both the host and home countries.

Assessment of educational migration potential from Central Asia to the Sverdlovsk Region

The article analyses and assesses the prospects of educational migration of young people from Central Asian countries to the Sverdlovsk Region as one of the Russian regions with a developed educational infrastructure. Based on the results of a sociological survey of labour migrants in the Sverdlovsk Region, conducted by the authors in 2023, it is concluded that the level of professional education of labour migrants is quite low and does not meet the current needs of the Russian labour market. In the future, the observed population growth in Central Asian countries, including its youth contingent, may contribute to an increase in the flow of educational migration to Russia and its regions. In this regard, it will be necessary to adapt the entire educational system and, first of all, the system of vocational education and training to this process. Keywords: educational migration, labor migrants, vocational education and training, vocational education system

СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ ВНЕШНЕЙ ТРУДОВОЙ МИГРАЦИИ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ В РОССИИ И ИХ РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЕ

The subject of the study is a set of issues related to the regulation of external labor migration in the Russian Federation. The goal is to justify the need to further use external labor migration as a source of replenishing Russia’s labor resources and mitigating the growing personnel shortage in the economy. For this purpose, the main problems and myths associated with the current aggravation of the migration situation are considered. The scientific novelty lies in the substantiation of the need to reform migration statistics, clarify the scale of labor migration, and manage its flows. The study was conducted using quantitative and qualitative analysis methodology. Its empirical basis was statistical data, materials from media publications, and the results of published and own sociological expert surveys of migrants. As a result of the study, a conclusion was drawn: modern flows of foreign migration are quite stable, and in their scale and structure they serve as a necessary addition to the country’s shrinking labor resources. The modern shortcomings of accounting, control, and regulation of external labor migration and their reasons, which cause uncertainty in the assessment and forecasting of migration processes, are revealed. The proposals made based on the results of the study are aimed at determining the conditions that, in addition to the project for reforming migration legislation, should be ensured for the effective use of the labor of external labor migrants and not pose a threat to Russian society.

Українські воєнні мігранти – мотивації, очікування, прагнення та інші напрями соціологічного осмислення

The author considers the problem of Ukrainian war migrants in the context of the sociological study of this phenomenon. Almost from the first weeks of crossing the western border, Ukrainian war migrants became the object of surveys, which encountered several methodological problems: insufficient sensitivity of quantitative research, socially desirable responses about returning, the impossibility of long-term planning under stress and uncertainty, etc. In addition, quantitative surveys of migrants are not representative, given the unavailability of data on the general population of such people in the countries of temporary stay. Despite the large array of accumulated empirical data, knowledge about the motivations for migration and plans for return remains somewhat fragmented. The paper examines available empirical data on this topic, conducts a theoretical analysis of modern migration studies, and takes steps to form a sociological framework for further study of the situation of Ukrainian war migrants. Among other things, it is suggested to consider positive and negative motivations and comparisons between Ukraine and the country of current residence. It is also recommended to apply an importance filter and to use the terminology of “delayed return”. The necessity of studying the aspirations of migrants is proved, which will help to shed light on the aspect of agency, which remains in a shadow. The relevance of studying family dynamics of migration is also argued. The article also discusses the need to understand that returning to Ukraine after the war can be another migration into the unknown, not a return to the familiar. As for the object of the research, the importance of studying the motivations of those who returned after a more or less long experience in other countries and those who changed from one host country to another is emphasized. Implementing these frames to the research arsenal will expand the possibilities of sociological understanding of this phenomenon.

Remembrances of things past: evidence from a twenty-year Kerala panel

ABSTRACTWe construct a panel of 242 households from five consecutive Kerala Migration Surveys that span 20 years at five-year intervals to study the fundamental determinants of the decision to migrate abroad as well as the decision to remit. Accounting for time-invariant unobservables and allowing migration and remittance behavior to depend upon previous choices clarifies our understanding of both decisions. Migration and remittance behavior display positive serial correlation over a five-year time horizon and the presence of a return migrant in the household increases the likelihood of migration by 13% and remittances by 4%. Migration is 1% more likely in female-headed households, 4% less likely when the household head is employed, increases by 0.4% for each additional year of the household head's age and is 6% more likely in households that are asset-poor. Remittances are between 20% and 70% more likely to obtain when the migrant was married at the time of migration and 3% less likely when the household head is employed, the latter suggesting either an old-age security or a co-insurance motive. Evidence in favor of a very strong inheritance competition motive is found in that each additional male heir increases the likelihood of remittances by between 8% and 31%. Based on our econometric evidence, and in particular our findings pertaining to serial correlation and the presence of a return migrant in the household, it is likely that both migration from and remittances to Kerala will quickly rebound to their pre-pandemic levels.

Drug trafficking fuels violence leading to mass emigration: The case of Guatemala

Emigration from Guatemala has surged in recent decades and been studied primarily in relation to the United States, overlooking that Mexico has also become an important destination. Recent literature suggests violence is fueling migration, but the causal mechanisms remain poorly understood. We estimate the impact of violence on emigration crossings from Guatemala during 2009–2017 using the Survey of Migration to Mexico's Southern Border. Guatemala is the world's main cocaine corridor, where criminal organizations deforest to smuggle cocaine from Colombia and launder money. Using shift-share IV, we show that exogenous cocaine seizures in Colombia, which reduce supply and lead to higher cocaine prices, increase violence in Guatemala as criminal organizations compete for a more lucrative drug market. In response, more male adults and minors emigrate, mostly to Mexico. Emigration increases more in municipalities with higher homicide rates relative to those in Mexico and higher deforestation. The findings contribute to the debate on migration and anti-drug trafficking policies.

Cultural integration, subjective identity, and well-being: global migrants in the UK

Recent waves of immigration in Western societies have drawn attention to social transformational challenges and their repercussions for migrant physical and mental wellbeing. Research into migration has tended to focus on Cultural Integration (CI) with Western country cultures and social norm. We fill a research gap in which the social transformation repercussions and the evolutionary function of human psychology remain underexplored. We theorize how the Evolutionary Fitness and Subjective Significance of Identity can emerge from CI, thus, positively impacting Subjective Well-Being (SWB) of migrants. To legitimize the model we propose, sets of rigorous empirical analyses were developed, drawing on panel data of 5,558 respondents from 7 waves of global migrant surveys within the UK during 2009–2018. Our results supported our hypotheses by suggesting that a tightly defined CI was negatively related to SWB, but a relatively fluid orientation towards CI was positively related to SWB, and the positive relationship became more compelling when the Subjective Significance of Identity (SSI) emerged from the integration process, such that the indirect effect of CI through SSI on SWB was strongest when the degree of SSI was high. Our study offers implications for how policymaking and management strategies can integrate cultural characteristics, increasing migrants’ cultural confidence, self-esteem, and economic creativity in the country of residence.