Causes and Consequences of Irregular Migration of Young Adults from Southern Ethiopia to the Republic of South Africa: The Case of Kembata-Tembaro and Hadiya Zones
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2010-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study investigates the socio-economic and demographic co uses and consequences of
irregular migration oJyoung adultsJi"om sOllthern Ethiopia down to the Republic oJSollth AJi"ica. It is
a cross-sectional stlldy based on sOlllple sllrvey oJ690 households with 658 eligible young adults aged
15 10 54 years belonging /0 three migrant categories in relation to migration sIC/Ius of South A/rica,
namely out migrants (226), retul'l1l11igrants (/93) and non-migrants (239). The study is conducted in
Jour randomly selected woredas and then hOllseholds Ji"01ll two zones oJ the SNNPR- KembataTembaro
and Hadiya-be/Ween February ta May, 2010.
Data sources include questionnaire, key informant interviews, focused group discussions as
well as administrative records both at local and narional levels. The dala are analyzed using
description, bi -variate and multi-variate statistical techniques. Logistic regression model is also
employed in assessing the relationship between migration slat us and age, sex, marilal status,
education, employment, occupation and income, residence, birth order, elhnicity and religion.
The major findings oj th is study are: the irregular migration down to RSA is enormously
dominated by males (over 80%) and adults oj age between 20-34 (57%). It is alsa Jound that the
majority oj migrants' childhood residence is rural (73%) and 28% oJthe sampled migrants are first
born child. Moreover, the study showed the presence oj non-linear relationship be/ween household
size and migration status. Highest percentages oj migrants (95%) are literate and this is dominated
by those having secondary education. It is also Jound that the movement oj young adults from
southern Ethiopia to RSA is facilitated by a ne/Work oj human smugglers Jound in Addis Ababa,
Hossana, Dilla and Nairobi. The main cause for the irregular movement of adults is found to be not
absolute but relative poverty and 44% of thetll left their homeland Jar reasons of perceived belter
opportunities in RSA, and only 8.5% oJthe cited poverty as the main cause.
The multivariate analysis showed that sex, age. education status and birth order having
significant impact on the youth to migrate or not while household size, place oj childhood residence,
zone, marital and employment status as well as religion found to have no significant impact. As to the
consequences, the study showed that most of return migrants (58%) are unemployed before their
movements to RSA but now over 92% of them are employed. The study a/so showed that the majority
of returnees are earning high income now than beJore, and also more than that of non-migrants. On
the other hand, highest proportions of smuggled migrants reported thaI their journeys were harsh
with unexpected negative consequences. They also noted oj robbery and theft while they were in RSA.
The study concludes by suggesting some policy recommendations for intervention in handling the
irregular movement of youth as well as the need Jor detailed research.
Key Words: Youth, Migration, Smuggling, Hossana, Opportunities, RSA
Description
Keywords
Youth, Migration, Smuggling, Hossana, Opportunities, RSA