Ms. F.S. Wouterse: Migration: Survival or Accumulation: evidence from Burkina Faso

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9 Jun 2006 13:30
Unit: Wageningen UR
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr. A. Kuyvenhoven (Development Economics)
Co Promotor: Dr. R. Ruben

Migration plays an important role in development and as a strategy for poverty reduction. Burkina Faso, a country where conditions for agriculture are far from favourable, has a long history of migratory movement. Migration within Africa (continental migration) has since long taken place in response to drought and low agricultural productivity. Migration to destinations outside the African continent and in particular to Western Europe (intercontinental migration) has become more important over the last decades.
 
This study provides a quantitative analysis of the determinants and effects of migration for rural households in four villages on the Central Plateau of Burkina Faso. Findings reveal that the two migratory movements are indeed different strategic decisions. Households with intercontinental migrants are better-off and can overcome entry constraints existing for this form of migration. Households with continental migrants are poorer and send migrants in response to push-factors such as insufficient land and consumption pressure. High remittances from intercontinental migration are partly invested in capital-intensive activities and greatly improve household welfare. Continental migration generates less remittances and leads to a reduction in income from labour-intensitve activities. The welfare position of the household improves slightly and mainly because of a reduction in household size due to migration.
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