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Migration Decision-Making and Its Key Dimensions

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  • Mathias Czaika
  • Jakub Bijak
  • Toby Prike

Abstract

Migration decisions are made in the context of personal needs and desires, and the individuals making these decisions face uncertain outcomes. Information about future opportunities is incomplete, and whether migration turns out to be a personal success or failure depends mostly on circumstances that are ex ante unknown and ex post not fully under the control of the individuals who migrate. This article elaborates on four dimensions of the complex process of migration decision-making: the formation of migration aspirations, the cognitive rules for searching and evaluating information about migratory options, the timing and planning horizons for preparing and realizing migratory decisions, and the locus of control and degree of agency in making migration decisions. We review the current state of evidence and identify opportunities for future empirical research that can help us to better understand these key dimensions of migration decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathias Czaika & Jakub Bijak & Toby Prike, 2021. "Migration Decision-Making and Its Key Dimensions," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 697(1), pages 15-31, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:697:y:2021:i:1:p:15-31
    DOI: 10.1177/00027162211052233
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    2. Yuliya Kosyakova & Irena Kogan & Frank van Tubergen, 2025. "Multidimensional effects of conflict-induced violence on wartime migration decisions: evidence from Ukraine," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 62(6), pages 2088-2106, November.
    3. Hisrael Passarelli-Araujo, 2026. "The demography of loneliness: Rethinking social connections in population research," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 54(5), pages 133-158.
    4. D. A. Sitkevich, 2023. "Economic and Sociocultural Factors of Migration Attitudes of Residents of the North Caucasus," Regional Research of Russia, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 78-88, December.
    5. Daniela Ghio & Sarah Hoyos‐Hoyos & Gavin Liu & Emmanuel Kyeremeh & Robert McLeman & Gabby Resch & Ali Mazalek, 2026. "Modeling the Spatial Interplay Between Migration and Environmental Conditions," Environmetrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(1), January.
    6. Andreas Ette & Yuliya Kosyakova & Christian Kothe, 2026. "Settlement intentions of Ukrainian refugees in Germany: Adhering to social status back home or restarting again abroad?," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 54(16), pages 481-520.
    7. Irena Kogan & Yuliya Kosyakova, 2026. "Cherchez l'homme? The Wartime Migration of Men in Ukraine: Research Note," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 287-302, March.

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