'We Can Only Dream about Europe': Perceptions of Social Policy as a Driver of Migration Aspirations. The Case of Ukraine

Abstract

Iryna Lapshyna – PhD, Senior researcher, South East European Studies (SEESOX), University of Oxford, UK; Associate Professor, Lviv Catholic University, Ukraine. Email: irina.lapshyna@gmail.com
 Franck Düvell – PhD, Associate Professor, Senior Researcher, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS), University of Oxford, UK. Chair of Migration Department, German Centre for Integration and Migration Research, Berlin. Email: franck.duvell@compas.ox.ac.uk
 Ukraine is a country of significant emigration, mostly to the EU and Russia. Our 2012 survey (N=2,000) found that 49.3 % of the population covered in four selected areas aimed to live and/or work abroad for some time. Subsequent studies confirm that this has not changed. The first key analytical concept applied to our analysis is that of 'perceptions'; rather than focusing on 'realities' as objective drivers of migration, we examine how individuals perceive realities and thereupon develop their 'aspirations', which is the second key analytical concept. Hence, instead of focussing on the conventional macro-level drivers we aim to understand the micro-level drivers in migration processes. This paper specifically investigates empirically the nexus between individual perceptions of social policy and migration aspirations among Ukrainians. Firstly, we explore how Ukrainians perceive social policies in Ukraine and how they compare these with conditions in Europe. Secondly, we analyse the correlation between these individual perceptions and their migration aspirations. Thirdly, we investigate how people perceive migration, in terms of its consequences, advantages and disadvantages. Fourthly, we describe the subsequent emergence of migration motives and aspirations. Our research finds that dissatisfaction with social policy in the sending country as well as positive perceptions of social policy in the destination countries are important contributors to the emergence of migration aspirations. This largely confirms the often-rejected welfare-magnet-hypothesis of neoclassical economic thinking.

The Land of Milk and Honey?

“…This is especially true for the case of interconnectedness between national identity and belief in God, which is not a universal occurrence. However, there are other cases where national identity acts as an inhibitor to migration aspirations (Lapshyna & Düvell 2018). Looking at other papers dealing with migration in the context of CEE countries, the importance of macroeconomic factors remains significant, especially in combination with life satisfaction for participants from CEE countries, when compared to non-CEE countries, as previously acknowledged here as well.…”

Breaking the cycle of poverty: routes to counteract intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic health differences

“…We found an agreement between children and adults regarding increasing the minimum wage (item 12), which was rated by both groups as the most important and urgent item. This is in accordance with the study of Lapshyna and Duvell (2018), who examined perceptions on social policies as a driver of migration aspirations and found insufficient salaries as one of the biggest issues. This probably reflects the perception of a higher disposable income flowing from an increased minimum wage, having a distinct effect on health , through the purchase of healthier food and/or investment into better health care, housing, schooling and recreation (Adler and Newman 2002).…”

“…Our findings revealed the low level of minimum wage, often also associated with the work abroad, as one of the biggest issues. This is in accordance with Lapshyna and Duvell (2018), who examined perceptions on social policies as a driver of migration aspirations and found insufficient salaries as one of the biggest issues. This probably reflects the perception that an increased minimum wage leads to a higher disposable income, which then has a significant effect on health ).…”

Factors and Causes of Migration Processes of Ukrainians: Gender Aspect

“…This has an impact on the culture and identity of these countries (Ma & Zou, 2022). Migration has become a widespread process, affecting globalization and economic development (Düvell & Lapshyna, 2018). In the 20th century, global migration was predominantly male (Aslany et al, 2021).…”