Life satisfaction and return migration: analysing the role of life satisfaction for migrant return intentions in Germany

Abstract

"This study analyses the role of life satisfaction for the intention of migrants to return to their country of origin. It is argued that the utility function of return migration is a function of life satisfaction gains and losses due to migration. Using the German Socio-Economic Panel and the World Value Survey, first-generation migrants from 26 countries were studied on the country level and within a random intercept logistic regression framework. The results suggest that cross-country differences in the intended return rate can be explained by expected cross-country differences in the life satisfaction gains/losses of migrants that return. However, the effect might be quadratic rather than linear. On the micro data level as well, migrants tend to settle or return depending on the life satisfaction in Germany and their country of origin. This effect seems to be driven by relatively recent arrivals and migrants with transnational social ties. The study concludes that migration decisions are to some degree determined by life satisfaction maximisation and that this life satisfaction maximisation behaviour can be best observed when migrants know what to expect from their move." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Schiele, M. (2021): Life satisfaction and return migration: analysing the role of life satisfaction for migrant return intentions in Germany. In: Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Vol. 47, No. 1, p. 110-129. DOI:10.1080/1369183X.2020.1763786