Household Economic Status and Migration: Evidence from Central and Eastern European Countries

Oana-Maria Cozma – Andrei-Ionuț Pricop
Demografie, 68(1): 25–35
https://doi.org/10.54694/dem.0377

Abstract
Migration has been a defining phenomenon in Eastern Europe since the fall of the Iron Curtain and has intensified with the free movement of people within the European Union. This paper examines the relationship between migration and household economic conditions, an area that has received limited empirical attention. Using panel data for 11 Central and Eastern European EU member states from 2013 to 2023, the study analyses how household financial indicators influence net migration balances. The empirical analysis applies panel regression techniques, including pooled OLS, random effects, and fixed effects models. The results show that household net financial assets and household investment rates are significant predictors of migration outcomes, while household savings and debt exhibit weaker or insignificant effects. These findings suggest that household-level economic resources and investment capacity play an important role in shaping migration dynamics in Eastern Europe. By connecting standardized household economic indicators to migration patterns, the paper provides new comparative evidence with relevant implications for migration and economic policy in the region.

Keywords
Household Economic Indicators, Migration, Panel Data Analysis, Eastern European Countries, Financial Assets and Investment