Why would Romanian migrants from Western Europe return to their country of origin?

Abstract

After conducting a survey among Romanian individuals left abroad, we analyze the particular influences relating to their intentions to return to their country of origin. Using Data Mining classifiers, Lasso variable selection procedures and binary logistic regressions for data collected in 2018 in several Western European countries, we have found that what matters the most for their intentions to return is the plan for starting a business in Romania in the near future. This is very useful for articulating appropriate policies. Other variables corresponding to the attachment to Romania, adaptation to the current foreign country, including the perception regarding the local discrimination, economic reasons and voting behaviour could manifest particular influences on their intentions to return. It has turned out that Romanians gone abroad to Latin countries from Western Europe, who plan to start a business at home are more likely to return to Romania than the ones gone in nonLatin countries.

Keywords

• migrants
• return intentions
• data mining classifiers
• lasso variable selection procedures
• binary logistic regressions
• marginal effects