Causes and Consequences of Irregular Migration of Young Adults from Southern Ethiopia to the Republic of South Africa: The Case of Kambata-Tembaro and Hadiya Zones
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study investigates the socia-economic and demographic causes and consequences of
irregular migration of young adults/rom southern Elh iopia down to the Republic a/Sollth Aji-ica. It is
a cross-sectional study based on sample survey of 690 households with 658 eligible young adults aged
15 10 54 years belonging 10 three migrant categories in relation to migration status of South Africa,
namely out migrants (226), return migrants (193) and non-migrants (239). The study is conducted in
four randomly selected woredas and then households from two zones of the SNNPR-KembataTembaro
and Hadiya- befween February to May, 2010.
Data sources include questionnaire, key informant interviews, focused group discussions as
well as administrative records both af local and national levels. The dala are analyzed using
description, hi-variate and multi-variate slalislical techniques. Logistic regress ion model is also
employed in assessing (he relationship between migration status and age, sex, marital stalus,
education, employment, occupation and income, residence, birth order, ethnicity and religion.
The major findings of Ihis sfudy are: [he irregular migration down to RSA is enormously
dominated by lIlales (over 80%) and adults of age between 20-34 (57%). It is also fo und that the
majority of migrants ' childhood residence is rural (73%) and 28% of the sampled migrants are first
born child. Moreover, the study showed the presence of non-linear relationship between household
size and migration status. Highest percentages of migrants (95%) are literate and this is dominated
by those having secondGlY education. It is also found that the movement of young adults from
southern Ethiopia to RSA is facilitated by a network of human smugglers found in Addis Ababa,
Hossana, Dilla and Nairobi. The main cause for the irregular movement of adults is found 10 be nol
absolute but relative poverty and 44% of them left their homeland for reasons of perceived better
opportunilies in RSA, and only 8.5% o/the ciled poverty as llie main cause.
The multivariate analysis showed that sex, age, education slallls and birth order having
Significant impacl on the youth to migrate or nol while household s ize. place of childhood residence,
zone, marital and employment slatus as well as religion found to have no significant impact. As to the
consequences, th e study showed that most of return migrants (58%) are unemployed before th eir
movements to RSA bill now over 92% of them are employed. The study also showed that the majority
of returnees are earning high income now than before. and also more than [har of non-migrants. On
the other hand, highest proportions of smuggled migrants reporled that their journeys were harsh
with unexpected negative consequences. They also noted of robbery and theft while they were in RSA.
The study concludes by suggesting some p olicy recommendations for intervention in handling the
irregular movement of youth as \Veil as the need for detailed research.
Key Words: Youth, Migratiou, Smuggling, Hossana, Opportunities, RSA
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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