Why Do They Leave? An Empirical Study on Migration Determinants in the Western Balkans

This paper investigates the migration determinants of the six Western Balkan countries (WB6). The research employs various econometric techniques among which are Hausman-Taylor IV estimators and GMM. The regression results confirm that there is a positive link between the corruption index and unemployment rate and the rate of migration in WB6 countries, whereas there is a negative link between the rate of migration and GDP growth and the rule of law. Our findings support the hypothesis that elevated level of corruption and unemployment result with a higher level of emigration in the WB6 countries. In addition, we have as well revealed that a higher level of rule of law and accelerated economic growth is in turn associated with a lower migration rate. Considering the positive effect the GDP growth and the rule of law have in lowering migration rate, and the contrary effect that high unemployment and corruption rates have on increasing the migration rate, the government should focus on keeping balance between the policies to increase the rule of law and GDP and reducing the levels of corruption and unemployment. Our study is authentic and makes effort to promote the significance of various socioeconomic and political determinants that impact the external migration of WB6 nations. The findings of this study could be a reliable source for policymakers of the WB6 countries in designing policies to combat rising levels of migration.