The role of rural-urban migration in the structural transformation of Sub-Saharan Africa

Alan de Brauw; Valerie Mueller; Hak Lim Lee

doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.10.013

The role of rural-urban migration in the structural transformation of Sub-Saharan Africa

Alan de Brauw, Valerie Mueller, Hak Lim Lee

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

152 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rural-to-urban migration is an inherent part of the economic development process, yet it is relatively understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. In this paper, we attempt to describe the present state of rural-urban migration from several different angles. Migration rates are quite low in several countries, despite the fact that large proportions of populations continue to reside in rural areas, and that there are clearly several types of gains to migration. We offer a number of possible explanations for low migration rates. We make recommendations for improvements in research on rural-urban migration and migration policy in Africa.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	33-42
Number of pages	10
Journal	World Development
Volume	63
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.10.013
State	Published - Nov 2014
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Africa
Rural-urban migration
Structural transformation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geography, Planning and Development
Development
Sociology and Political Science
Economics and Econometrics

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10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.10.013

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title = "The role of rural-urban migration in the structural transformation of Sub-Saharan Africa",

abstract = "Rural-to-urban migration is an inherent part of the economic development process, yet it is relatively understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. In this paper, we attempt to describe the present state of rural-urban migration from several different angles. Migration rates are quite low in several countries, despite the fact that large proportions of populations continue to reside in rural areas, and that there are clearly several types of gains to migration. We offer a number of possible explanations for low migration rates. We make recommendations for improvements in research on rural-urban migration and migration policy in Africa.",

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AU - Mueller, Valerie

AU - Lee, Hak Lim

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N2 - Rural-to-urban migration is an inherent part of the economic development process, yet it is relatively understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. In this paper, we attempt to describe the present state of rural-urban migration from several different angles. Migration rates are quite low in several countries, despite the fact that large proportions of populations continue to reside in rural areas, and that there are clearly several types of gains to migration. We offer a number of possible explanations for low migration rates. We make recommendations for improvements in research on rural-urban migration and migration policy in Africa.

AB - Rural-to-urban migration is an inherent part of the economic development process, yet it is relatively understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. In this paper, we attempt to describe the present state of rural-urban migration from several different angles. Migration rates are quite low in several countries, despite the fact that large proportions of populations continue to reside in rural areas, and that there are clearly several types of gains to migration. We offer a number of possible explanations for low migration rates. We make recommendations for improvements in research on rural-urban migration and migration policy in Africa.

KW - Africa

KW - Rural-urban migration

KW - Structural transformation

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SP - 33

EP - 42

JO - World Development

JF - World Development

ER -

The role of rural-urban migration in the structural transformation of Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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