Marital Status, Cohabitation and Intentions of Workers to Move to Less Developed Areas

Vollständiger Abstract

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ABSTRACT While migration for ‘love in destinations’ has gained attention, the link between partnerships, beyond the married‐unmarried dichotomy, in home societies and migration intentions remains underexplored. Meanwhile, economies in the Global South are becoming attractive for talent, yet little is known about intentions of workers to migrate within this region. This study analyzes how marital status and cohabitation relate to Hong Kong workers’ intentions to move to less developed Mainland Chinese cities. Using survey data, it compares short‐term (within 5 years) and long‐term migration intentions across single, partnered non‐cohabiting, cohabiting and married workers. Short‐term intentions are higher among married or cohabiting men than single men. Long‐term intentions are stronger among married than single women. Family presence moderates these associations. Workers with non‐cohabitating partners do not differ from single counterparts. Findings highlighted the role of partnerships and living arrangements on migration intentions and contributed novel insights for theorizing educated migration.