This activity is intended to address gaps in knowledge regarding the impacts of migration and remittances on development. Understanding the causes, benefits and risks of migration is important for the development of Sub-Saharan Africa, where reliable data on migration and remittances are scarce. This study is to undertake surveys of representative samples of an average of 2,000 households and 1,000 return migrants in Senegal and the Gambia in 2019, to provide information on migration, economic and social consequences on households sending countries and return migrants.
The team proposes to generate the necessary (and missing) evidence along three key dimensions: 1. Determinants of international migration: (a) document socio-economics characteristics of potential migrants vis-à-vis the population, (b) understand decision-making and expectations among potential migrants, and (c) show additional push and pulls factors which shape the migration decision; 2. Economic and social consequences on households in sending countries: (a) describe contribution of remittances to household welfare, and (b) assess vulnerabilities of migrants' families left behind related to missing household members; 3. Return migrants, (a) show characteristics of return migrants and forced returnees, including skills acquired abroad, (b) document migration experience, and (c) highlight vulnerabilities such as potential traumas which challenges re-integration in the country of origin.