ITIM Seminar by Els Bekaert and Killian Foubert

The ITIM Research Group at Ghent University in collaboration with UNU-CRIS is organising the ITIM seminar by Els Bekaert & Killian Foubert on Longing for which home: evidence from global aspirations to stay, return or migrate onward.

Abstract: Aspirations provide the underlying dynamics of the behaviour of individuals whether they are realised or not. Knowledge about the characteristics and motives of those who aspire to leave the residence country is key for both countries of residence and birth to formulate appropriate and effective policies, to keep their valued immigrants or citizens and foster their (re-)integration. Based on unique individual-level Gallup World Polls data, we model the aspirations or stated preferences to return or migrate onward of immigrants across 138 countries worldwide. Our analysis reveals selection in characteristics, a strong role for soft factors like social ties and socio-cultural integration, and a faint role for economic factors. Changes in circumstances in the countries of birth and residence are also important determinants of aspirations. Results differ by the residence countries' level of economic development.

This is a closed event. For further information, please contact Ruben Dewitte (Ruben.Dewitte@UGent.be) and Pascale Vantorre in cc (pvantorre@cris.unu.edu).