What Makes 700 Million Adults Want to Migrate

 

Social networks draw potential migrants regardless of level of human development

by Timothy B. Gravelle, Rajesh Srinivasan, Neli Esipova, Julie Ray

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Like their desire to migrate, the factors behind why 700 million people say they would like to move permanently to another country vary by country, region, and level of human development. But Gallup's study of these potential migrants show that worldwide, regardless of whether human development is high or low, those with links to family or friends abroad are more likely to want to move to another country.

Gallup's surveys in 103 countries between 2008 and 2009 reinforce how important transnational social networks are to migration. Respondents who have relatives or friends who live in a foreign country are more than twice as likely to say they would like to move to another country permanently if they had the chance. Even those with family or friends who have returned from abroad are more likely to desire to move.

Factors such as age and education also emerge as global drivers of people's desire to migrate, suggesting that those with fewer commitments or greater mobility may simply feel more able to move. Overall, regardless of the national level of human development, adults who are younger than 35 and have at least some secondary education express a stronger desire to migrate than those who are older and less educated.

Other Drivers of Desire to Migrate Vary by Level of Human Development

Because of the vast differences in levels of human development across countries, Gallup grouped the 103 countries according to their United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) scores and into five categories. Gallup's groups correspond with the United Nations' categories of human development. These groups include very high human development, high human development, medium human development (Gallup split this group because of the wide range in scores and distinct patterns that emerged in the top half of this range compared with the bottom half), and low human development.

Across these five groups, the median desire to move to another country varies, but it tends to be higher in countries with medium to low human development.