IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/sagope/v11y2021i1p21582440211001371.html

Current Trend and Determinants of Intentions to Migrate: Evidence From China

Author

Listed:
  • Kashif Iqbal
  • Yichu Wang
  • Khurshaid Khurshaid
  • Muhammad Haroon Shah
  • Muhammad Sohaib

Abstract

The increasing pace of globalization and competition for highly skilled professionals have accelerated the international mobility across national boundaries for knowledge exchange and economic reasons. The purpose of this study was to examine the current trend and determinants of migration intentions in China. For this purpose, we carried out a survey in China from 2021 respondents by using a probability sampling technique. For empirical estimation, we employed the logistic regression estimation technique to compute and evaluate the data. In the findings of this study, several push-and-pull factors have been identified for both inflow and outflow of skilled human capital in China. The findings of this study derived that high wages outside China and low wages within China are considered as the top reasons to leave China. In addition, more opportunities and a better lifestyle in the host countries are the key factors to push skilled human capital from China. The results also indicate that better education in the host countries has a positive correlation with migration intentions in China. Therefore, it can be argued that education, wages, more opportunities and better lifestyle are the significant push factors that determine why highly educated people emigrate from China.

Suggested Citation

  • Kashif Iqbal & Yichu Wang & Khurshaid Khurshaid & Muhammad Haroon Shah & Muhammad Sohaib, 2021. "Current Trend and Determinants of Intentions to Migrate: Evidence From China," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440211, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:11:y:2021:i:1:p:21582440211001371
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440211001371
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440211001371
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/21582440211001371?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hatton, Timothy J., 2014. "The economics of international migration: A short history of the debate," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 43-50.
    2. Taylor, J Edward & Rozelle, Scott & de Brauw, Alan, 2003. "Migration and Incomes in Source Communities: A New Economics of Migration Perspective from China," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 52(1), pages 75-101, October.
    3. Beine, Michel & Docquier, Frédéric & Oden-Defoort, Cecily, 2011. "A Panel Data Analysis of the Brain Gain," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 523-532, April.
    4. Baruch, Yehuda & Budhwar, Pawan S. & Khatri, Naresh, 2007. "Brain drain: Inclination to stay abroad after studies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 99-112, March.
    5. Wen, Wen & Hu, Die & Hao, Jie, 2018. "International students’ experiences in China: Does the planned reverse mobility work?," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 204-212.
    6. Su, Yaqin & Tesfazion, Petros & Zhao, Zhong, 2018. "Where are the migrants from? Inter- vs. intra-provincial rural-urban migration in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 142-155.
    7. Byra, Lukasz, 2013. "Rethinking the brain drain: Dynamics and transition," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 19-25.
    8. Di Maria, Corrado & Lazarova, Emiliya A., 2012. "Migration, Human Capital Formation, and Growth: An Empirical Investigation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(5), pages 938-955.
    9. Magris, Francesco & Russo, Giuseppe, 2009. "Selective immigration policies, human capital accumulation and migration duration in infinite horizon," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(2), pages 114-126, June.
    10. Zheng, Wei & Walsh, Patrick Paul, 2019. "Economic growth, urbanization and energy consumption — A provincial level analysis of China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 153-162.
    11. Zhongmin Wang & Xinlin Jing, 2018. "Job Satisfaction Among Immigrant Workers: A Review of Determinants," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 139(1), pages 381-401, August.
    12. Fransen, Sonja & Ruiz, Isabel & Vargas-Silva, Carlos, 2017. "Return Migration and Economic Outcomes in the Conflict Context," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 196-210.
    13. Zhao, Yaohui, 1999. "Labor Migration and Earnings Differences: The Case of Rural China," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 47(4), pages 767-782, July.
    14. Dibeh, Ghassan & Fakih, Ali & Marrouch, Walid, 2018. "Labor Market and Institutional Drivers of Youth Irregular Migration: Evidence from the MENA Region," GLO Discussion Paper Series 261, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    15. Pi, Jiancai & Zhang, Pengqing, 2016. "Hukou system reforms and skilled-unskilled wage inequality in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 90-103.
    16. Diana Loubaki, 2012. "On The Mechanics Of The Brain-Drain Reduction In Poorest Developing Countries," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 37(3), pages 75-106, September.
    17. Bénassy, Jean-Pascal & Brezis, Elise S., 2013. "Brain drain and development traps," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 15-22.
    18. Azizi, SeyedSoroosh, 2018. "The impacts of workers' remittances on human capital and labor supply in developing countries," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 377-396.
    19. Okeke, Edward N., 2013. "Brain drain: Do economic conditions “push” doctors out of developing countries?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 169-178.
    20. Zheng Mu & Wei-Jun Jean Yeung, 2018. "For Money or for a Life: A Mixed-Method Study on Migration and Time Use in China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 139(1), pages 347-379, August.
    21. Zai Liang, 2001. "The Age of Migration in China," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 27(3), pages 499-524, September.
    22. Ifanti, Amalia A. & Argyriou, Andreas A. & Kalofonou, Foteini H. & Kalofonos, Haralabos P., 2014. "Physicians’ brain drain in Greece: A perspective on the reasons why and how to address it," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(2), pages 210-215.
    23. Wen Wen & Yan Luo & Die Hu, 2014. "Bridging the Gap between Western and Chinese Evidence in the International Education Market," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 22(6), pages 87-102, November.
    24. Dibeh, Ghassan & Fakih, Ali & Marrouch, Walid, 2017. "Decision to Emigrate Amongst the Youth in Lebanon," IZA Discussion Papers 10493, IZA Network @ LISER.
    25. Steinberg, Daniel, 2017. "Resource shocks and human capital stocks – Brain drain or brain gain?," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 250-268.
    26. NICOLAE Adina-Iulia, 2015. "Brain Drain Migration Type. What Causes Brain Drain Phenomenon?," Revista Economica, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 67(Supplemen), pages 102-110, September.
    27. Zhou Jiang & Ying Wang & Fei Guo & Paul J. Gollan, 2018. "Vocational Experiences and Quality of Life of Migrants: Overview and Future Research," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 139(1), pages 403-414, August.
    28. Qin, Fei, 2015. "Global talent, local careers: Circular migration of top Indian engineers and professionals," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 405-420.
    29. Beine, Michel & Docquier, Frederic & Rapoport, Hillel, 2001. "Brain drain and economic growth: theory and evidence," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 275-289, February.
    30. Heitor, Manuel & Horta, Hugo & Mendonça, Joana, 2014. "Developing human capital and research capacity: Science policies promoting brain gain," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 6-22.
    31. Jiancai Pi & Pengqing Zhang, 2018. "Rural–urban human capital disparity and skilled–unskilled wage inequality in China," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(2), pages 827-843, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hari Sharma & John Gibson, 2020. "Effects of International Migration on Child Schooling and Child Labour: Evidence from Nepal," Working Papers in Economics 20/07, University of Waikato.
    2. Bhardwaj, Bhawana & Sharma, Dipanker, 2023. "Migration of skilled professionals across the border: Brain drain or brain gain?," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 1021-1033.
    3. Driouchi, Ahmed & Zouag, Nada, 2010. "Internal Mobility and Likelihood of Skill Losses in Localities of Emigration: Theory and Preliminary Empirical Application to Some Developing Economies," MPRA Paper 21799, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 01 Apr 2010.
    4. Ait Benhamou, Zouhair & Cassin, Lesly, 2021. "The impact of remittances on savings, capital and economic growth in small emerging countries," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 789-803.
    5. Saleemi, Sundus, "undated". "Children in left-behind migrant households: education and gender equality," Discussion Papers 311113, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    6. Zhang, Yi & Matz, Julia Anna, 2017. "On the train to brain gain in rural China," Discussion Papers 252443, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    7. Du, Yang & Park, Albert & Wang, Sangui, 2005. "Migration and rural poverty in China," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 688-709, December.
    8. Melo, Grace & Ames, Glenn, "undated". "Driving Factors of Rural-Urban Migration in China," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235508, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    9. Berlinschi, Ruxanda & Schokkaert, Jeroen & Swinnen, Johan, 2013. "When drains and gains coincide: Migration and international football performance," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 1-14.
    10. Di Maria, Corrado & Lazarova, Emiliya A., 2012. "Migration, Human Capital Formation, and Growth: An Empirical Investigation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(5), pages 938-955.
    11. NGARUKIYIMANA Jean Paul & TEYE Tetteh Emmanuel & Tian Lin & MUHIMPUNDU Nadege & AKIMANIZANYE Annonciate & MUJAWAMARIYA Odette & ABUBAKARI Sadiq Mohammed, 2019. "The Life Experience and Satisfaction of Foreign Students in Eastern China: A Case of Anhui Province," Journal of Social Science Studies, Macrothink Institute, vol. 6(2), pages 1-16, December.
    12. Narcisse Cha'ngom & Christoph Deuster & Frédéric Docquier & Joël Machado, 2025. "Selective Migration and Economic Development: A Generalized Approach," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 66(4), pages 1713-1732, October.
    13. El-Mallakh, Nelly & Wahba, Jackline, 2021. "Upward or downward: Occupational mobility and return migration," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    14. Antwi, James & Phillips, David C., 2013. "Wages and health worker retention: Evidence from public sector wage reforms in Ghana," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 101-115.
    15. Wang Sophie Xuefei, 2014. "The Effect of Parental Migration on the Educational Attainment of Their Left-Behind Children in Rural China," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 14(3), pages 1037-1080, July.
    16. Fanyu Chen & Zi Wen Vivien Wong & Siong Hook Law, 2024. "Brain drain: what is the role of institutions?," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 51(3), pages 605-628, September.
    17. Latukha, M. & Nintuona Soyiri, J., 2018. "Determinants of Talent Mobility in Africa: Talent Attraction and Retention Practices in Ghana," Working Papers 15113, Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg State University.
    18. Tang, Sam Hak Kan & Wang, Yichen & Wang, Yong, 2025. "Curse of low-skilled emigration on human capital formation: Evidence from the migration surge of the 2000s," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    19. Tina Dulam & Philip Hans Franses, 2015. "Emigration, wage differentials and brain drain: the case of Suriname," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(23), pages 2339-2347, May.
    20. Chang, Hongqin & Dong, Xiao-yuan & MacPhail, Fiona, 2011. "Labor Migration and Time Use Patterns of the Left-behind Children and Elderly in Rural China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(12), pages 2199-2210.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:11:y:2021:i:1:p:21582440211001371. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.