Interlinkages between Migration and Inequality in Africa: Review of Contemporary Studies

Abstract

In recent times, migration and inequality have become topical issues of global attention. In the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 10 focuses on tackling inequality with indicator 10.7, which pertains to the facilitation of safe, orderly, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people. Few studies show that migration and inequality are interlinked; yet, others show that migration is an outcome of inequality. To the contrary, others argue that migration triggers inequality in the sending areas, due to increased flows of remittances sent by migrants to their areas of origin. The differential conclusions are attributed to varied methodological approaches used and the dimension of inequality investigated. This paper seeks to contribute to this knowledge gap by highlighting the scholarly work on migration and inequality in Africa, challenges encountered, as well as presenting the key findings. The study comprised a desk review of published studies on migration and inequality in Africa. The review found that most studies in Africa relied on census and survey data and mostly focused on the nexus between economic inequality and migration, thus ignoring other social inequalities. Few studies used population registers. None of the studies considered the drivers of internal and international migration and how these impact on inequality. The study recommends an investigation of the nexus between non-income inequalities and migration as well as the unpacking of the contextual factors behind inequality and migration using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Additionally, the study strongly encourages the use of specialist migration surveys to improve the body of knowledge on this subject. In recent times, migration and inequality have become topical issues of global attention. In the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 10 focuses on tackling inequality with indicator 10.7, which pertains to the facilitation of safe, orderly, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people. Few studies show that migration and inequality are interlinked; yet, others show that migration is an outcome of inequality. To the contrary, others argue that migration triggers inequality in the sending areas, due to increased flows of remittances sent by migrants to their areas of origin. The differential conclusions are attributed to varied methodological approaches used and the dimension of inequality investigated. This paper seeks to contribute to this knowledge gap by highlighting the scholarly work on migration and inequality in Africa, challenges encountered, as well as presenting the key findings. The study comprised a desk review of published studies on migration and inequality in Africa. The review found that most studies in Africa relied on census and survey data and mostly focused on the nexus between economic inequality and migration, thus ignoring other social inequalities. Few studies used population registers. None of the studies considered the drivers of internal and international migration and how these impact on inequality. The study recommends an investigation of the nexus between non-income inequalities and migration as well as the unpacking of the contextual factors behind inequality and migration using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Additionally, the study strongly encourages the use of specialist migration surveys to improve the body of knowledge on this subject.