Abstract
Does a history of migration in the family influence one’s decision to move abroad? This paper argues that intergenerational
transmission of ‘migration capital’ accumulated in the family is a significant determinant of current decisions to migrate.
Using an ordered probit methodology to analyse data from a survey of 2161 respondents conducted in Latvia in 2007, we find
support for our hypothesis: children of former migrants are more likely to migrate themselves, compared to people without
family migration experience. The country of Latvia serves as an unusually instructive laboratory for our analysis due to the
planned nature of its 1945–1991 immigration flows.
transmission of ‘migration capital’ accumulated in the family is a significant determinant of current decisions to migrate.
Using an ordered probit methodology to analyse data from a survey of 2161 respondents conducted in Latvia in 2007, we find
support for our hypothesis: children of former migrants are more likely to migrate themselves, compared to people without
family migration experience. The country of Latvia serves as an unusually instructive laboratory for our analysis due to the
planned nature of its 1945–1991 immigration flows.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10834-011-9269-9
- Authors
- Artjoms Ivlevs, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY UK
- Roswitha M. King, Department of Economics, Ostfold University College, 1757 Halden, Norway
- Journal Journal of Family and Economic Issues
- Online ISSN 1573-3475
- Print ISSN 1058-0476