Remittances and subjective well-being: A static versus dynamic panel approach to happiness

Biyase, Mduduzi; Fisher, Bianca; Pretorius, Marinda

doi:10.33182/ml.v18i6.917

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Also, as international migrants usually change their place of residence from one country to another, they tend to have higher expectations in building a thriving life satisfaction around them and their households. Studies have supported this finding and explained that international migrants usually have higher expectations and are usually seen working towards achieving their dreams of a thriving life satisfaction [ 102 , 103 ]. This exciting finding suggests that migrant status significantly predicts the highest life satisfaction of migrant males and females.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Determinants of life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa: an analysis of the GCRO’s quality of life survey (2009–2021)

Akokuwebe,

Likoko,

Osuafor

et al. 2023

BMC Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Migrant populations in any country are a vulnerable group, and psycho-demographic research measuring life satisfaction has been used to assess migrants’ well-being in developed and developing countries. However, South Africa, with its high influx of migrant populations, has investigated these topical concerns from the perspective of xenophobia, with mixed findings. However, no, or very few studies have examined life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa. This study, therefore, extends previous literature by examining the determinants of life satisfaction among South Africa’s internal and international migrant populations. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study from the 2009 to 2021 Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) Quality of Life (QoL) surveys among migrant populations in two ways: a full sample and a gender-stratified sample. A sample of male and female migrants ranging from 15 to 49 years of age were recruited into this study. Cantril’s Self-Anchoring Ladder Life Satisfaction scale captured their life satisfaction alongside relevant social demographic factors. Descriptive statistics were applied for the data analysis of the demographic factors. Bivariate and multivariate logistics regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations and the predictive factors of life satisfaction among migrants, both internal and international. Results The key findings were the gender distribution of life satisfaction, showing that more international (male – 66.0% and female – 67.1%) migrants reported having a thriving life satisfaction than internal migrants (male – 61.7% and female – 61.5%). Findings from the Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a significant association between the individual, household, and community factors by migrant status (ρ < 0.05). However, the probit coefficients revealed that individual factors (age 48+: AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.23, and secondary/higher education: AOR = 1.1., 95% CI: 0.01, 1.19) and household factors (two persons living in households (H/H): AOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.50, 1.10), and community factors (international migrant status: AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 0.08, 2.16) significantly increase the prediction of higher odds of life satisfaction by gender among migrants. The ordered logit coefficients also showed that individual factors (middle and high income and having health insurance) and household factors (receiving SASSA social grant) predicted the highest life satisfaction among migrants (internal and international). Conclusion We found substantial evidence that individual-, household-, and community-level factors were associated with life satisfaction among migrants. In particular, the pattern of life satisfaction varied slightly between male and female migrants, as well as with migrant status in South Africa. These findings collectively may provide helpful information for policymakers and practitioners to optimise interventions for migrant populations to improve their life satisfaction. Evidence from this study also calls on the government of South Africa to begin tracking the life satisfaction of its nationals, whether migrants or not.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Determinants of life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa: an analysis of the GCRO’s quality of life survey (2009–2021)

Akokuwebe,

Likoko,

Osuafor

et al. 2023

BMC Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Emerging and low-income countries were impacted negatively in the areas of trade, investment and remittances channels (Chipeta 2011). Biyase, Fischer and Pretorius (2021) reported on the importance for remittances for material survival for recipient households as well as the positive impact on these households' subjective well-being. Richter and Patel (2022) furthermore concluded that in Brazil the self-employed (especially largely informal and often racial minority workers) suffered relative more from this worldwide health crisis.…”

Section: Introduction and Rationale For The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Day labouring in Southern Africa after the global economic and financial crisis: The case of Pretoria and Windhoek

Wyk

Blaauw

Schenck

2023

Journal of Economic and Financial Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Orientation: The global economic and financial crisis (GEFC) represented a large asymmetric shock, impacting on informal economic activity (for example day labouring) in Southern African countries such as Namibia and South Africa.Research purpose: The aim was to compare pre- and post-GEFC labour market outcomes of day labourers in Windhoek (Namibia) and Pretoria (South Africa).Motivation for the study: Evidence of the micro-economic impact of exogenous shocks on informal labour markets is scarce, despite the informal sector often enduring most of the impact of such shocks.Research approach/design and method: A comparative case study using a mixed-method design was used to conduct fieldwork in Pretoria in 2015 and Windhoek in 2017. Results were compared with data obtained prior to the GEFC.Main findings: Real earnings of day labourers in Pretoria and Windhoek have stagnated since the GEFC. Infrequent levels of employment renders ‘bad months’ as the reality for most day labourers – leaving day labourers structurally more vulnerable than before the GEFC.Practical/managerial implications: The results question the theoretical shock absorber function often ascribed to the informal sector in time of financial strife. Governments are urged to rethink the depth and level of support afforded to the informal sector in such times.Contribution/value-add: This study enhances the understanding of the structural vulnerability of the informally wage-employed in Southern Africa. Furthermore, it provides initial signs of the possible presence of long-term hysteresis unemployment within the informal labour markets as a result of a shock such as the GEFC.

show abstract

“…In the study conducted by (Ivlevs, Nikolova & Graham, 2019) using Gallup World Poll data for 2009-2011, it was shown that poorer families with a family member who has migrated abroad report higher levels of well-being. (Biyase, Fisher & Pretorius, 2021) According to the results of the study conducted in South Africa, remittances have a continuous positive impact on the happiness of family members.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Remittances and Life Satisfaction of Immigrants Living in Istanbul

GÜL,

GÖKDEMİR DUMLUBAĞ

2023

Fiscaoeconomia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The immigrant remittances emerged due to the international migration occupy an important place especially in the economies of developed and underdeveloped countries along with their serious contributions. In addition to their macro level importance these remittances sent to family members for various reasons cause also important transformations in the socio-economic structure of society. This study aims to analyse the effect of sending remittance on immigrants’ life satisfaction. The surveys were conducted face-to-face with 1006 immigrants living in Istanbul and the responses were analysed using the OLS analysis method. The questions in the survey were prepared in English and in Turkish. Immigrants who are a part of the study are people who have legally obtained a residence permit in Turkey. The dependent variable in this study was “All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?” It is life satisfaction, which consists of individual answers to the question. Participants were asked to rate on a ranking scale ranging from 0 (not at all satisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied. People from 89 different countries took part in the study. Results indicate that sending remittance reduces people’s happiness. People who have left their country due to economic conditions are observed to be more unhappy. On the other hand savings make people happier. In addition people who think that their financial status is better after the migration are happier than others.

show abstract

Remittances and subjective well-being: A static versus dynamic panel approach to happiness

Cited by 3 publications

References 26 publications

Determinants of life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa: an analysis of the GCRO’s quality of life survey (2009–2021)

Determinants of life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa: an analysis of the GCRO’s quality of life survey (2009–2021)

Day labouring in Southern Africa after the global economic and financial crisis: The case of Pretoria and Windhoek

Remittances and Life Satisfaction of Immigrants Living in Istanbul

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About