Voluntary Immobility: A Global Analysis of Staying Preferences

Debray, Alix and Ruyssen, Ilse (2022). Voluntary Immobility: A Global Analysis of Staying Preferences. UNU-CRIS Working Paper. UNU Insitute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies.

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  • Subtitle Working Paper
    Sub-type Working paper
    Author Debray, Alix
    Ruyssen, Ilse
    Title Voluntary Immobility: A Global Analysis of Staying Preferences
    Series Title UNU-CRIS Working Paper
    Volume/Issue No. 2022/8
    Publication Date 2022
    Place of Publication Bruges
    Publisher UNU Insitute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies
    Pages 39
    Language eng
    Abstract In the last decade, there has been growing interest from both policy and academic communities in understanding why people migrate. The focus, however, remains biased towards understanding mobility, while the structural and personal forces that restrict or resist the drivers of migration, leading to different immobility outcomes, are much less understood. This paper offers the first global analysis of staying preferences, enhancing knowledge about the factors associated with voluntary immobility, defined here as the aspiration to stay in one’s country of residence. We make use of the unique Gallup World Polls which provide information on aspirations to stay (as opposed to migrating abroad) as well as on individual characteristics and opinions for 130 countries worldwide between 2010-2016. Staying aspirations are widespread and far more common than migration aspirations, and we uncover important ‘retain factors’ often overlooked in research on migration drivers – related to social ties, local amenities, trust in community institutions, and life satisfaction. Overall, those who aspire to stay tend to be more content, socially supported and live in communities with stronger institutions, and better local amenities. We further explore differences in the relative importance of retain factors for countries at different levels of urbanization, and for different population groups, based on gender, education, rural/urban location, migration history, religiosity, and perceived thriving. Our findings contribute to a more holistic understanding of migration decision-making, illuminating the personal, social, economic, and institutional retain factors countering those that push and pull.
    Copyright Holder UNU Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies
    Copyright Year 2022
    Copyright type All rights reserved
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    Created: Wed, 21 Feb 2024, 23:29:36 JST by Masovic, Ajsela on behalf of UNU CRIS