The impact of economic and non-economic factors on the willingness to migrate of young people in the COVID-19 pandemic time

Abstract

PURPOSE: The study aimed to determine the willingness to migrate of young people (students of selected research centers from Poland and Portugal) and to identify the reasons and directions for their departure.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Logical reasoning and a descriptive method were used to prepare this article. Additionally, the logistic regression results were the basis for verifying the research hypothesis, and multidimensional correspondence analysis helped with the graphical presentation of the results.

FINDINGS: The analyses confirmed the hypothesis that, regardless of the country of origin, the leading cause of migration of young people are economic factors, including high earnings abroad and the intention to improve working conditions. In addition, the study results confirmed the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the willingness to migrate of young people. The disincentives were fear of falling ill and forced isolation from relatives and friends in case of a lockdown.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study allowed us to determine how the willingness to migrate of young people has changed over time, especially in the time of the global crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Application of correspondence analysis to migration research to illustrate the influence of economic and social factors on the willingness of youth to migrate.