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Literature review: drivers of migration. Why do people leave their homes? Is there an easy answer? A structured overview of migratory determinants

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  • Kuhnt, Jana

Abstract

Why do people leave their homes? This seemingly easy question requires a more complex answer. What ultimately prompts a person to leave if it is impossible to find a job due to a conflict that has destroyed all economic opportunities? Evidence suggests that the migration decision is a complex process that is dependent on a multitude of factors, such as migration governance regimes, migration and smuggler networks, access to technology, or individual characteristics such as age, gender and educational background. I use a theoretical framework to present the variety of determinants that have been put forward as influencing migration decisions at the macro-, meso-, and micro-level. This structured overview discusses their importance for different forms of migration and subsequently helps to identify gaps for further research.

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  • Kuhnt, Jana, 2019. "Literature review: drivers of migration. Why do people leave their homes? Is there an easy answer? A structured overview of migratory determinants," IDOS Discussion Papers 9/2019, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:diedps:92019
    DOI: 10.23661/dp9.2019
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    4. Schmid, Lena & Renner, Laura, 2020. "The Decision to Flee: Analyzing Gender-Specific Determinants of International Refugee Migration," VfS Annual Conference 2020 (Virtual Conference): Gender Economics 224596, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
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    7. Langthaler, Margarita & Gündüz, Dilara, 2020. "Preventing migration with vocational education? Understanding the migration - vocational education nexus," Briefing Papers 26, Austrian Foundation for Development Research (ÖFSE).

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