Migration as a household decision: What are the roles of income differences? Insights from the Volta basin of Ghana

This paper examines the determinants of migration decision with a special emphasis on the role of income differences. As migrants are not a random part of the population, the migration equation is corrected for selectivity bias using the Heckman procedure. The data for this study is collected under a Common Sampling Frame approach, which resulted in a wide variety of data sets. Empirical results show the statistically significant effects of income differentials on households' decisions to participate in migration. This result lends credence to the significance of economic incentives on the intra-household migration decision making process. Additionally, factors like migration experience, household size, education, social capital, ethnic networks, off-farm activities, and irrigation also explain migration decisions.