Migration and Subjective Poverty in sending countries: An analysis of the Egyptian case

Abstract

Migration has traditionally been used as a survival strategy in times of financial crisis; however, a debate exists as to whether migration influences poverty on the individual level. The current study analyses the influence of past subjective poverty on migration choice and to determine the impact of migration on current subjective poverty perception. Using a simultaneous bivariate ordered probit model, we found that poorer individuals in Egypt tend to migrate more than others. Migration was found to be a significant determinant of current poverty in Egypt. Finally, migration improved migrant’s financial situation.