Migration as a Household Decision: What are the Roles of Income Differences? Insights from the Volta Basin of Ghana

Abstract

This paper examines the determinants of migration decision with a special emphasis on the role of income differences. As migrants are not a random part of the population, the migration equation is corrected for selectivity bias using the Heckman procedure. The data for this study is collected under a Common Sampling Frame approach, which resulted in a wide variety of data sets. Empirical results show the statistically significant effects of income differentials on households' decisions to participate in migration. This result lends credence to the significance of economic incentives on the intra-household migration decision making process. Additionally, factors like migration experience, household size, education, social capital, ethnic networks, off-farm activities, and irrigation also explain migration decisions. Cet article �tudie les d�terminants de la d�cision de migration avec un accent particulier mis sur le r�le des �carts de revenues. Le choix des migrants n'�tant pas d� au hasard, le biais de s�lectivit� de l'�quation de migration a �t� corrig� par la proc�dure de Heckman. Les donn�es de cette �tude ont �t� collect�es selon une approche de cadre d'�chantillonnage commun (Common Sampling Frame) qui fournit une grande vari�t� de s�ries de donn�es. Les r�sultats empiriques montrent des impacts statistiquement significatifs des �carts de revenus sur les d�cisions de m�nages de participer aux migrations. Ils donnent du cr�dit aux incitations �conomiques face au processus de prise de d�cision des m�nages. De plus, des facteurs tels des exp�riences de migrations ant�rieures, la taille des m�nages, l'�ducation, le capital social, les r�seaux ethniques, les activit�s non agricoles et l'irrigation expliquent �galement les d�cisions migratoires.

Residential Remittances and Food Security in the Upper West Region of Ghana

“…Although the reason for such an occurrence was not obvious in Addawen (2013), Luginaah and colleagues in an earlier study (2009) found that poor transportation and communication networks were affecting the frequency of remitting to the region. Therefore, remittances as a diversification strategy may only minimize the negative impacts of shocks on poor households by smoothing consumption in the short run (Tsegai, 2007). Several studies have observed the reliance of households on a combination of remittances and other strategies by poor households to meet their food needs.…”

“…However, drastic changes in the agro-ecological environment over at least the last three decades have had dire consequences on agricultural livelihoods ( Van der Geest et al, 2010). Agriculture employs over a third of the labour force in the UWR.…”

“…A recent study by WFP and MoFA (2012) indicates that 34 per cent of households in the UWR had at least one member as a migrant worker residing in another part of the country. These migrants send food and cash back home to sustain their families (Kuuire et al, 2013;Luginaah et al, 2009;Van der Geest et al, 2010). In recent decades, migration patterns from the UWR have shifted from temporary seasonal migration to permanent migration.…”

“…Given the region's relatively high poverty and persistent food insecurity, young men and women migrate in search of better economic opportunities and fertile farmlands in the southern part of the country (Kuuire et al, 2013;Van der Geest, et al, 2010). A recent study by WFP and MoFA (2012) indicates that 34 per cent of households in the UWR had at least one member as a migrant worker residing in another part of the country.…”

Uncertainty, Insecurity, and Emigration from Kazakhstan to Russia

“…Their empirical analysis is largely descriptive, though, and they do not seek to derive a measure of perceived riskiness of migration (or remaining in Hong Kong). Finally, it is worth noting that Tsegai (2007) emphasizes the riskreducing role of education in exploring migration within Ghana. In summary, there is ample reason to believe that uncertainty is important in the migration decision, but there have been few attempts at empirical verification.…”