Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/193197 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 11903
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Irregular migration became an alarming issue over the last decade for both developed and developing countries. A prevailing assumption in migration policy is that labor market and institutional characteristics play a crucial role in pushing people to leave their home countries in search for better life prospects. This paper examines this hypothesis using a unique dataset covering young people aged 15 to 29 from five major MENA countries from the year 2016. Using a probit model, the paper finds that labor market drivers (unemployment, job sector, social security, contract type) are of great importance for the decision to migrate irregularly amongst the youth in the MENA region and that the quality of institutions matters. In addition, the lack of wealth and economic opportunities enhance their willingness to engage in irregular migration.
Subjects: 
irregular migration
youth
labor markets
institutions
Arab Spring
JEL: 
J61
O17
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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