Factors of emigration aspiration in Hong Kong

Abstract

Traditional migrant research has focused on economic factors, but recent studies have delved further into the examination of the factors that shape the motivation underlying migration. This study sought to further expand the body of literature by examining the migration narrative of Hongkongers during the recent mass exodus from the city. Results from Studies 1a and 1b showed that, beyond the economic facilitators of migration, personal political acts as well as perceived collective future—both political and economic—have been a strong predictor of increased emigration intent, while identification with Hong Kong and China predicted decreased emigration intent. Qualitative data also provided insights into the emigration narratives of the Hongkongers who have decided to leave, those who have planned to leave, and those who have already left. Whilst the transactional and economic models of migration still hold true, the presented findings have shown that psychosocial factors such as perceived symbolic threats, identity, interpersonal relationship, and familiarity shape the emigration decision and its narratives.