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The impact of migration on children left behind in Moldova

Author

Listed:
  • Gassmann F.
  • Siegel M.
  • Vanore M.
  • Waidler J.

    (UNU-MERIT)

Abstract

This paper empirically evaluates the well-being of children left behind by migrant household members in Moldova. Using data derived from a nationally-representative, large-scale household survey conducted between September 2011 and February 2012 among 3,255 households 1,801 of which contained children aged 0-17 across Moldova, different dimensions of child well-being are empirically evaluated. Well-being of children in Moldova is divided into eight differentdimensions, each of which is comprised of several indicators. Each indicator is examined individually and then aggregated into an index. Well-being outcomes are then compared by age group, primary caregiver, migration status of the household current migrant, return migrant, or no migration experience, and by who has migrated within the household. It was found that migration in and of itself is not associated with negative outcomes on childrens well-being in any of the dimensions analysed, nor does it matter who in the household has migrated. Children living in return migrant households, however, attain higher rates of well-being in specific dimensions like emotional health and material well-being. The age of the child and the material living standards experienced by the household are much stronger predictors of well-being than household migration status in a number of different dimensions. The results suggest that migration does not play a significant role in shaping child well-being outcomes, contrary to the scenarios described in much past research. This paper is the first to the authors knowledge to link migration and multidimensional child poverty.

Suggested Citation

  • Gassmann F. & Siegel M. & Vanore M. & Waidler J., 2013. "The impact of migration on children left behind in Moldova," MERIT Working Papers 2013-043, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2013043
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    File URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/wppdf/2013/wp2013-043.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Joanna M Clifton-Sprigg, 2019. "Out of sight, out of mind? The education outcomes of children with parents working abroad," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 71(1), pages 73-94.
    2. Rabia Arif & Theresa Thompson Chaudhry & Azam Amjad Chaudhry, 2023. "Emigration’s Heterogeneous Impact on Children’s Wellbeing in Punjab, Pakistan," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(3), pages 1251-1295, June.
    3. Björn NILSSON, 2019. "Education and migration: insights for policymakers," Working Paper 23ca9c54-061a-4d60-967c-f, Agence française de développement.
    4. Keetie Roelen, 2018. "Poor Children in Rich Households and Vice Versa: A Blurred Picture or Hidden Realities?," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 30(2), pages 320-341, April.
    5. Pfeiffer, Friedhelm, 2014. "The Impact of Parents Migration on the Well-being of Children Left Behind: Initial Evidence from Romania," IZA Discussion Papers 8225, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Clifton-Sprigg, Joanna, 2014. "Out of sight, out of mind? Educational outcomes of children with parents working abroad," 2007 Annual Meeting, July 29-August 1, 2007, Portland, Oregon TN 2015-45, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    7. Bonin, Holger & Krause-Pilatus, Annabelle & Rinne, Ulf & Brücker, Herbert, 2020. "Wirtschaftliche Effekte der EU-Arbeitskräftemobilität in den Ziel- und Herkunftsländern," IZA Research Reports 102, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Mariana Ianachevici & Maria Orlov, 2017. "Ensuring The Right Of Moldovan Children To Be Raised And Educated In The Family: Legislative And Practical Issues," FIAT IUSTITIA, Dimitrie Cantemir Faculty of Law Cluj Napoca, Romania, vol. 11(2), pages 114-123, November.
    9. Iasmina Iosim & Patricia Runcan & Remus Runcan & Cristina Jomiru & Mihaela Gavrila-Ardelean, 2022. "The Impact of Parental External Labour Migration on the Social Sustainability of the Next Generation in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-12, April.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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