Pattern and Determinants of Occupational Mobility of Adult Ghanaian In-Migrants in the Central Region

Liem T. Nguyen, National University of Singapore

Despite the increasing migration and the fact that economic and job opportunities are the most important factors motivating migration, little is known about the occupational mobility of in-migrants in developing countries. This paper focuses on patterns and determinants of occupational mobility for in-migrants in the Central Region of Ghana. Discrete-time event-history models were used. The findings showed that the well known U-shaped curve pattern of occupational mobility of immigrants found in developed countries was also found in Ghana. Education was the most important determinant of occupational mobility. Interestingly, education stimulates not only upward but also downward mobility. Besides, being married substantially decreases the likelihood of experiencing upward mobility. Although women are more likely to experience occupational mobility than men, the relationship is not statistically significant. Lastly, the findings suggested that urban areas provide more upward occupational opportunities than rural areas. Shortcomings of the paper and recommendations are also discussed.