This paper uses new and unique data to analyse the evolution of African migrations between 1960 and 2010. It particularly explores the role of development processes, state formation and policies in explaining the evolution, trends and patterns of African migration.
Marie-Laurence Flahaux and Hein de Haas use data from the DEMIG C2C and DEMIG VISA databases, and the Global Bilateral Migration Database (GBMD) to contradict common beliefs of African migration.
Flahaux and de Haas find that the vast majority of African migrants move within the continent and that recent increases of migration out of Africa seems to be driven by processes of development rather than poverty and conflict, and that these trends are likely to continue in the future.
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