Macroeconomic determinants of emigration from Kenya

Ombaire Birundu, William (2016): Macroeconomic determinants of emigration from Kenya.

Abstract

The study examined the economic determinants of migration from Kenya to USA, Canada, Australia, Germany and United Kingdom by applying a unilateral migration gravity model during the period 2000-2015.The study applied the Least Square Dummy Variable specification technique to estimate the gravity model. The pull factors from Kenya were high inflation, exchange rate appreciation, high population and a rise in Kenyan GDP per capita.In considering the relative attractiveness of the destination countries in increasing order the finding showed Australia, Canada, UK and Germany were the prominent migration destinations. When emigration was considered overtime there was generally a positive trend except for 2007.Finallythe findings showed that if all the macroeconomic factors were held constant there will be a significant decline in migration from Kenya thus we conclude that besides other factors influencing migration, economic factors play a key role too.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Emigration, Least Square Dummy Variable, Gravity Model, Kenya, Macroeconomic factors
• Subjects: F - International Economics > F2 - International Factor Movements and International Business > F22 - International Migration

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