African migration: Diversity and changes

This chapter gives an overview of the patterns of African migration using quantitative data from the MAFE surveys. Three broad topics are addressed: (1) patterns of mobility, focusing on trends in departures, returns and circulation, (2) profiles of migrants, and (3) migration routes and strategies. Using extensive data on three origin countries and six destination countries, it identifies some common patterns and trends, as well as heterogeneity and changes in African migration. A key finding is that African migration is diverse. Trends in departures and returns have developed differently across countries, and migrants’ profiles and motives for departure also vary widely by destination and origin country. While migration to Europe has generally become more complex, strategies and routes have also varied more widely across origin and destination countries.