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Journal Article

South-south refugee movements: Do pull factors play a role?

Authors

  • Lanati
  • M.
  • Thiele
  • R.

Publication Date

DOI

10.1111/ecpo.12275

Key Words

South-South Refugee Movements

Gravity Model

Pull Factors

Foreign Aid

Related Topics

Africa

Studies analyzing the pattern of international refugee flows have so far focussed on movements to OECD destinations, even though the vast majority of refugees live in non-OECD countries. Employing a standard gravity model of international migration, we fill this research gap by investigating the impact of destination country characteristics on south-south refugee movements over the period 2004–2019. Our findings suggest that refugees tend to move to safe neighboring countries but also positively respond to local pull factors such as relatively high per-capita income levels and the availability of education and health services when choosing their country of destination. Donors have the ability to affect the direction of south-south refugee movements by investing in the social infrastructure of potential destination countries.

Kiel Institute Expert

  • Prof. Dr. Rainer Thiele
    Kiel Institute Researcher

More Publications

Subject Dossiers

  • Aerial view of an African village, solar-powered well in the center

    Africa

Research Center

  • International Development