Global Evidence on the Relative Importance of Nonfinancial Drivers of International Migration Intentions

Abstract

Using a global, individual-level survey, this article looks at the relative importance of local amenities and political institutions while controlling for other financial and nonfinancial incentives for individual plans to move between countries. Although the influence of wages and income differences has been extensively explored, less is known about specific non-income-related drivers of international migration and their relative importance. The analysis highlights that satisfaction with politics and amenities both at the origin and destination, are important drivers of migration intentions. These jointly with social networks explain about twice as much in international migration intention outcomes than employment-related incentives (such as relative individual income difference, employment, and job satisfaction), with relative income difference explaining only about 5 percent to 8 percent.