Association of Urban and Economic Foundations with Post-Migration Life Satisfaction in the Maldives: Evidence from Voluntary Migrants to Hulhumalé

抄録

Understanding the factors associated with post-migration life satisfaction is critical for small island states pursuing climate adaptation and population consolidation strategies. This study examines how urban and economic foundations are associated with subjective well-being among voluntary, working-age migrants (aged 18–60) from islands outside the Greater Malé Region who relocated to Hulhumalé, a planned artificial island in the Maldives. Using data from an original questionnaire survey conducted between December 2024 and April 2025, changes in life satisfaction were assessed using paired t-tests, and an ordinary least squares regression model was utilized to examine associations between current satisfaction and evaluations of urban and economic foundations. The results present a significant increase in average life satisfaction following migration. Regression analysis indicates that although employment, income, housing, and the living environment are positively associated with current life satisfaction, social service-related factors—specifically human capital investment factors such as education and medical care—presented no significant independent association. Furthermore, pre-migration satisfaction is not a significant predictor once current conditions are accounted for. This pattern indicates a stronger connection between post-migration well-being and destination-based foundations than retrospective assessments of prior conditions. Although social services are highly rated, they function as essential background conditions rather than independent predictors of satisfaction. Thus, success in planned resettlement for economically active migrants depends on providing stable economic opportunities and livable residential foundations for populations with characteristics similar to this sample.