Policy Brief

Understanding the Links between Social Protection and Migration in Low- and Middle-income Countries

Exploring this relationship between access to social protection and the ability or need to migrate.

Publication Date
27 Oct 2023
Authors
Jessica Hagen-Zanker Jason Gagnon Carmen León Himmelstine

This UNU-CPR discussion paper draws on evidence collated in a comprehensive literature review to ask: “What are the effects that publicly mandated social protection programmes in countries of origin exert on migration decisions?”

Social protection can impact public risk and vulnerability, particularly for poor and near-poor households, by offering services such as pensions, child benefits, unemployment benefits, or public works programmes. This can, as a result, directly impact on the decision to migrate, as migrants must consider risk factors alongside the possibility of accessing opportunities.

This discussion paper explores this relationship between access to social protection and the ability or need to migrate. In doing so, it addresses policy assumptions regarding migration, including the implementation of social protection to intentionally ‘stop’ or reduce migration.

Access ‘Understanding the Links between Social Protection and Migration in Low- and Middle-income Countries’ here.

Related content

Seminar

Migration Seminar Series: Migration, Remittances and Capabilities in the Global South: Exploring the India-Nepal Corridor through Aspiration and Capability Perspectives

Dr. Mandeep Grewal on migration, remittances, and livelihood opportunities along the India-Nepal migration corridor.

-

Event

Land Restoration through Traditional & Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge

Exploring the role of Traditional and Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge in land restoration, biodiversity protection and planetary health.

-