December 18 marks International Migrants Day, an opportunity to break down preconceived ideas and highlight the real figures regarding African migration. While many preconceived ideas circulate on this subject, it is important to refer to the facts to better understand reality.
First of all, it is essential to emphasize that international migration remains stable when it comes to the percentage of the world population. Of the world’s 7.8 billion people, only about 4% are international migrants, or nearly 280 million people. This percentage has barely changed since the 1960s, which calls into question the idea that there is a global migration crisis.
Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, there are more European migrants than African migrants. Although the number of African migrants has increased by 30% since 2010 to around 40 million, European migrants remain more numerous in absolute terms. If we consider the demographic weight, Africa represents 16% of the world population, but only 14% of international migrants. On the other hand, Europe accounts for 10% of the world population, but almost 24% of international migration.
Another important reality to highlight is that African migration is mainly internal to the continent. African migrants tend to move to other countries in Africa rather than to Europe or North America. Indeed, around 70% of West African migrants remain in Africa, favoring neighboring countries in the sub-region. Only 15% of them choose to head to Europe, while 6% head to North America. This reality demonstrates that African migration is not as oriented towards the West as one might think.
The motivations behind African migrations are mainly economic, accounting for more than 80% of cases. These are often people seeking better employment opportunities and livelihoods for themselves and their families. It is important to note that these migrations have positive repercussions both for the host countries, which thus fill labor shortages, and for the countries of origin, which receive constantly increasing remittances. Indeed, remittances from African migrants have reached $50 billion per year, surpassing foreign direct investment which has declined over the same period.
It is also worth noting that most irregular African migrants entered the country with a visa, but were subsequently unable to renew it. The number of African migrants who undertake the perilous boat journey to Europe remains relatively low. However, the number of victims among these migrants is still alarming, with more than 27,000 dead or missing at sea over the last ten years. This reality highlights the need to adopt migration policies that guarantee security and respect for the fundamental rights of all migrants, regardless of their status.
In conclusion, it is essential to demystify preconceived ideas and stereotypes surrounding African migrations. The real figures demonstrate that African migration is above all internal to the continent, motivated by economic reasons, and that African migrants in an irregular situation are often stuck in a complex administrative situation. It is essential to encourage debates based on facts in order to promote a more nuanced and balanced understanding of the migration issue.