Emigration, population shrinkage and a rationale for local solutions: Lessons for local governments and NGOs

In: International migration: quarterly review, Band 60, Heft 2, S. 208-221

Abstract

AbstractEmigration and population shrinkage are challenges faced in countries and communities throughout the world. Based on a systematic literature analysis of approximately 600 articles, we examine voluntary emigration through the lens of non‐economic factors, establishing a cohesive and coherent view of the literature landscape across disciplines and enabling discussion of how local governments and non‐governmental organizations might respond to emigration pressures nationally and locally. The factors identified in the literature are set within seven conceptual categories: personal ambition, personal relationships, quality of life, quality of working life, future opportunity, fitness to enter a new society and quality of governance. Focusing on these factors, a set of tools for local government and non‐governmental organization action are proposed to manage emigration‐induced population shrinkage, including citizen participation, strategic planning and management, cross‐sector partnerships and capacity investments in the non‐profit sector.