Social networks and the intention to migrate

Miriam Manchin and Sultan Orazbayev ()

No 409, Development Working Papers from Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, University of Milano

Abstract: Using a large survey spanning several years and more than 150 countries, we examine the importance of social networks in influencing individuals’ intention to migrate domestically or internationally. We distinguish close social networks (composed of friends and family) and broad social networks (composed of same-country residents with intention to migrate), both at home and abroad. We find that social networks abroad are important driving forces of migration intentions, more important than work-related aspects or income. In addition, we find that close social networks abroad with remittances matter significantly more than those without remittances as the individuals become more educated, indicating that networks might work through different channels for individuals with different level of education. On other hand, we find that having stronger close social networks at home reduces the likelihood of migration intentions.

Keywords: intention to migrate; social networks; local migration; international migration; remittances (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F22 F24 O15 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 51
Date: 2016-12-01, Revised 2016-12-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-int, nep-mig, nep-net, nep-soc and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Social networks and the intention to migrate (2018)
Working Paper: Social Networks and the Intention to Migrate (2018)
Working Paper: Social Networks and the Intention to Migrate (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:csl:devewp:409

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