Population mobility in Africa: an overview

Although there is an abundant literature on migration in sub-Saharan Africa and mobility on the continent seems to be increasing, it is difficult to fully understand the complex processes underlying the phenomenon. This is partly related to problems with definitions and partly to a lack of reliable data. This chapter on population mobility in Africa discusses some definitional and conceptual problems concerning mobility and migration, gives an overview of recent quantitative data on migration in sub-Saharan Africa, and examines four important aspects of the study of population mobility: gender; adaptation and integration of migrants and strangers in receiving areas; the area of origin as an object of study; and relations between migrants and their home areas. The authors conclude that systematic quantitative data as well as detailed case studies are needed in order to obtain a clear picture of mobility in sub-Saharan Africa. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum