This study investigates the role of intangible factors in the migration decision‐making processes of citizens from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. While the existing literature often highlights economic factors as the primary drivers of migration, this research explores how religious identity and perception of democracy and freedoms—specifically, freedom of expression and electoral freedom—influence these decisions. Utilising data from the Arab Opinion Index from 2012 to 2020, the study covers nine MENA countries and considers variables, such as gender, education level, household economic status, age, residential area, religious affiliation, and views on social and political freedoms. The findings suggest that intangible factors, particularly religious identity and perceived lack of freedoms, significantly influence individuals' migration decisions, similar to economic factors. Individuals who identify as less religious, associate with a less religious social circle, and perceive that their freedoms are not protected are more likely to consider migrating. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of migration dynamics in the MENA region, providing policymakers with crucial insights to develop evidence‐based strategies addressing the complex drivers of migration.

中文翻译：

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揭示无形因素对中东和北非地区移民的作用：宗教身份和自由观念


本研究调查了无形因素在中东和北非 （MENA） 地区公民移民决策过程中的作用。虽然现有文献经常强调经济因素是移民的主要驱动力，但本研究探讨了宗教身份和对民主和自由的看法——特别是言论自由和选举自由——如何影响这些决定。该研究利用 2012 年至 2020 年阿拉伯民意指数的数据，覆盖了 9 个中东和北非国家，并考虑了性别、教育水平、家庭经济状况、年龄、居住面积、宗教信仰以及对社会和政治自由的看法等变量。研究结果表明，与经济因素类似，无形因素，特别是宗教身份和被认为缺乏自由，会显著影响个人的移民决定。那些认为自己宗教信仰较少、与宗教信仰较少的社交圈交往、并认为自己的自由不受保护的人更有可能考虑移民。这项研究有助于更深入地了解中东和北非地区的移民动态，为政策制定者制定循证战略来解决复杂的移民驱动因素提供了重要的见解。