An evaluation of factors influencing sustainable livelihood of migrants: evidence from Southwest China

The sustainable livelihood of migrants has been a worldwide concern for many years. In order to formulate more effective policies that can substantially promote sustainable livelihood for communities of migrants, it is important to measure the quantitative influential factors with use of effective econometric methods. To bridge such gap, this work conducts systematic influential factors analysis toward sustainable livelihood of migrants using of structural equation model. This work takes Liangshan Prefecture in Southwest of China, as the research example, to make a detailed quantitative empirical study for evaluation. First, the influence path of "livelihood capital/government policy-livelihood strategy-sustainable livelihood" is constructed. Then, the structural equation model is utilized for quantitative analysis, aiming to verify the proposed hypothesis and to find significant variables affecting sustainable livelihood. Nine different capital factors are employed for assessment, and quantitative measurement results are obtained to reflect their effect in sustainable livelihood degree of migrants. The analysis shows that social capital, material capital, and financial capital have a significant positive impact on livelihood strategies. Meanwhile, human capital, social capital, and material capital is found to have a significant positive impact on sustainable livelihoods. The outcome of this study can be further utilized to assist public policies designs on resource allocation strategies.