Mobility Framing Effects in Migration Surveys: A Research Note With Experimental Evidence From Senegal

Demography 2026 Open access

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Authors: Niklas Murken, Kerilyn Schewel, Jasper Tjaden
DOI: 10.1215/00703370-12655184
Cited by: 1
References: 29

Abstract

We provide causal evidence that asking about intentions to stay rather than migrate reduces expressed migration aspirations by 12 percentage points, confirming a significant "mobility framing effect" in survey responses. Researchers should consider using more balanced survey instruments when eliciting mobility intentions and may risk overestimating migration when inferring future migration flows from aspirations measured through surveys.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Survey Methodology and Nonresponse Migration and Labor Dynamics Economic and Environmental Valuation

Publication details

Journal / source
Demography
Publisher
Duke University Press
Volume
63
Issue
3
Pages
759–769
Publication date
1 June 2026
Language
EN