Internal Migration in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Internal migration is an age old practice. UNDESA/UNESCO estimates that about 763 million people are involved in internal migration, nearly three times higher than international migrants. Internal migration is, therefore, expected to shift populations and displace spatial demographics of most countries. Internal migration in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria, like many other sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries is largely influenced by both pull and push mechanisms including socioeconomic condition at both source and destination points. Internal migration may, therefore, present notable implications for a country’s development and policy agendas. However, unlike international migration, the impact of internal migration in SSA has received limited research attention and comparable data. This chapter seeks to explore the underpinning dynamics, destinations, and effects of internal migration in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. The analysis drew on synthesis of extant literature on internal migration. The analysis found that internal migration in SSA has both positive and negative effects on urbanization, education, health and familial systems. It is thus important that policy makers target ramifications of internal migration toward critical socioeconomic development in SSA. Future research should consider the perspectives of internal migrants to improve understanding of the dynamics of internal migration in SSA.