Uncovering the Underlying Patterns of Migration Drivers in the European Union: A Hierarchical Clustering Approach

Labour migration has become a crucial strategy to address labour shortages across the European Union. While labour markets are an essential mechanism triggering migration, other factors may play a role in an individual’s departure. This paper aims to investigate the underlying patterns of labour migration among the European Union states for the year 2024, using data from Eurostat and The Heritage Foundation. The variables were grouped by distinguishing between predisposing, proximate, precipitating and mediating factors of migration. As novelty, the dataset was extended compared to previous literature, by adding digitalization and other specific labour market and demographic factors into the analysis. Then, a principal component analysis was conducted to tackle the multi-dimensionality problem using RStudio. The selected principal components encompass diverse dimensions such as economic development and challenges, institutional performance, social outcomes and vulnerability, demographic and educational dynamics, digitalization performance and migration openness. A hierarchical cluster algorithm was finally developed to investigate patterns of migration drivers among six distinct EU country-clusters. These findings could enrich the existing literature on labour migration patterns in the EU, through adding new perspectives regarding influencing factors.