Changing patterns of African Migration: A Comparative Analysis

Schoumaker, Bruno [UCL] Flahaux, Marie-Laurence [UCL] schans, Djamila [Maastricht University] Beauchemin, Cris [INED] Mazzucato, Valentina [Maastricht University] Sakho, Pape [UCAD]

The objective of this paper - using quantitative data of MAFE – is to provide an overview of the changing patterns of African migration in the MAFE countries. Three broad topics are addressed: (1) trend in departures and returns, (2) profiles of migrants, and (3) migration routes. The paper is by nature mainly descriptive, and has not the ambition of identifying determinants of migration as such. However, by describing major changes over the last 30 years, this paper suggests possible links with changing political, economic and policy contexts in both origin and destination countries.