Relative Standing and Temporary Migration: Empirical Evidence from the South Caucasus
Liuc Papers n. 293, Serie Economia e Impresa 79, marzo 2016
27 Pages Posted: 14 Mar 2016
Date Written: March 12, 2016
Abstract
This paper empirically investigates the relationship between households’ relative deprivation and the intentions of their members to temporarily migrate abroad in three transition economies of the South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Controlling for households’ absolute income and other relevant subjective dimensions, we illustrate that households’ relative position vis-à-vis their reference groups plays an important role in determining the intentions of their members to migrate abroad. Particularly, individuals are more willing to engage in temporary emigration, if they perceive themselves to be poorer than the reference group.
Keywords: Intentions to Migrate, Relative Deprivation, Reference Group, South Caucasus
JEL Classification: D31, D63, F22, J61, O15, P20, P36
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation