Economics
Research insight
INVITED EDITOR
Editorial from
NOVAFRICA Knowledge Center
NOVAFRICA is a knowledge center created by the Nova School of Business and Economics of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa in 2011. Its mission is to produce expertise with an impact on business and economic development in Africa. A particular focus is on Portuguese-speaking Africa, i.e., Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and Sao Tome and Principe.
July 16, 2024
10. Reduced inequalities

10. Reduced inequalities

Reduce inequalities within countries and between countries
LEARN MORE

Why do People Migrate Irregularly? Evidence from a Lab in the Field Experiment in West Africa

Under the theme of Economic Development in Africa, the NOVAFRICA@Nova SBE seminar series hosts a variety of international speakers. This seminar invited Tijan L. Bah, Nova SBE.

Irregular migration to Europe through the sea, though risky, remains one of the most popular migration options for many Sub-Saharan Africans. This study examines the determinants of irregular migration from West Africa to Europe. We implemented an incentivized lab-in-the field experiment in rural Gambia, the country with the highest rate of irregular migration to Europe in the region. Male youths aged 15 to 25 were given hypothetical scenarios regarding the probability of dying en route to Europe, and of gaining legal residence status after successful arrival. According to the data we collected, potential migrants overestimate both the risk of dying en route to Europe, and the probability of obtaining legal residency status. In this context, our experimental results show that providing potential migrants with official numbers on the probability of getting a legal residence permit decreases their likelihood of migration by 2.88 percentage points (pp), while information on the death risk of migrating increases their likelihood of migration by 2.29pp – although the official numbers should be regarded as a lower bound to actual mortality. Follow-up data collected one year after the experiment show that the migration decisions reported in the lab experiment correlate well with actual migration decisions and intentions. Overall, our study indicates that the migration decisions of potential migrants are likely to respond to relevant information.

This content was originally published in Novafrica.org

NOVAFRICA Knowledge Center
NOVAFRICA is a knowledge center created by the Nova School of Business and Economics of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa in 2011. Its mission is to produce expertise with an impact on business and economic development in Africa. A particular focus is on Portuguese-speaking Africa, i.e., Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and Sao Tome and Principe.
LEARN MORE
SHARE

Keep reading

Three essays on banks’ operational risk disclosures in the European Union: the role of informal institutions, and the association with performance

In her PhD thesis, Florence Basto explores the relationship between both, informal institutions and performance, and operational risk disclosures in the European Union banking industry.

Encouraging European solidarity: an unconditional basic income

We are living in extraordinary and exceptional times. Many have lost their jobs and incomes. The crisis is first and foremost a public-health crisis, but its economic repercussions demand a response which manifests our solidarity and which can help ensure basic living conditions throughout Europe and the well-being of all.

Reforming local governance: fiscal federalism and political accountability

In her PhD thesis, Ana Catarina Alvarez explores three reforms implemented in Portugal to obtain causal inference about the manifold impacts of the rules that shape local government behavior.

Charts of the Month - March '22

Gas Shortages, Oil Exports, LatAm VC Investments, YTD Sector Returns, GBTC Conversion, Impact vs ESG, and the Foo.

THE CHOICES OF

Nova SBE awarded at the 1st edition of the EFFAS Gasperini Awards

Professors Miguel Ferreira and José Tavares and Nova SBE PhD student Sharmin Sazedj were awarded the first edition of the EFFAS Gasperini Awards, where they represented Nova SBE

Subscribe our weekly newsletter

By subscribing to the Nova SBE Role to Play newsletter, you can stay up-to-date on the latest articles posted on the website.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

We all have a role to play

We are on a mission to be a community dedicated to the development of talent and knowledge that impacts the world.

With just ten years to go, an ambitious global effort is underway to deliver the 2030 promise. We want to take a stand and we are calling on our community to showcase how they are contributing to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, whilst influencing more and more people to unravel their role to play.

Here, you will find four different ways your ideas can flourish, dialogue can be enhanced, and action can take place. You can choose one or all four, and Nova SBE will be there to support you all the way and guarantee tangible change.

We all have a role to play, and this is your way in.