To Leave or Not to Leave: The Role of Aspirations and Networks in Shaping Young Women’s Migration Decisions in Lebanon

Karine Moukaddem, Marion Dovis, Josephine Kass-Hanna (j.kass-hanna@ieseg.fr), Léa Bou Khater and Eva Raiber
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Karine Moukaddem: Aix-Marseille School of Economics, Aix-Marseille University
Marion Dovis: Aix-Marseille School of Economics, Aix-Marseille University
Josephine Kass-Hanna: IESEG School of Management
Léa Bou Khater: AUB
Eva Raiber: Aix-Marseille School of Economics

No 1715, Working Papers from Economic Research Forum

Abstract: Migration aspirations, the hope and ambition to leave the origin country, are recognized as the key initial step that may lead to actual migration. Drawing on data from a nationally representative survey conducted in Lebanon among 1,500 women aged 18-35, this study investigates the role of social networks and life aspirations (education, career, marriage and fertility) in shaping migration aspirations, in a context of severe economic crisis and massive emigration wave. Based on a stylized model that integrates aspirations into a standard utility maximization problem, we postulate that individuals aspire to migrate if their life aspirations cannot be locally fulfilled. Furthermore, we focus on local networks to examine their influence on women’s migration aspirations. Our analysis reveals a peer effect, where a higher share of women’s network planning migration increases their migration aspirations. Additionally, unlikely career and education aspirations, but not family aspirations, are associated with a stronger desire to emigrate. These findings highlight the need for a nuanced approach to understanding the interplay between social networks, aspirations, and migration decisions. They offer valuable insights for researchers and policymakers aiming to address the drivers of women’s emigration in Lebanon and other crisis contexts.

Pages: 68
Date: 2024-08-20, Revised 2024-08-20
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ara, nep-int, nep-mig, nep-upt and nep-ure
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