Economic Aspects of Migration in the Republic of Angola

Abstract

The article discusses the features of migration in the Republic of Angola. The country has a strong demographic and economic potential. Migration processes occur in two directions: there is an immigration to the country of qualified and highly qualified specialists, return forced migrants; and labor and educational migrants emigrate from the country. Between Angola and Portugal there are fairly stable migration ties. The largest Angolan diaspora outside of Africa has formed in the former metropolis. Portugal attracts Angolans with a common language, historical ties, labor market opportunities, and prospects for integration into society. Also, Angolan diasporas began to form in the so-called “new emigration” countries - France, the USA, South Africa, Brazil. The most recent trend has been the emigration of Angolans to China, which is actively developing and establishing strong ties with African countries. Remittances from labor migrants and representatives of the Angolan diasporas characterize new directions of emigration from the country. Remittances to Angola come mainly from those countries where labor migrants go to work. Angola gradually transformed from a country of outflow of forced migrants into a country of reception of forced migrants. Large-scale return migration of Angolan refugees who had previously left the country is taking place in the country. Despite the magnitude of the phenomenon of forced migration, there is little research on the integration of refugees and the reintegration of returned refugees into Angolan society. As a result, the potential of former refugees is not fully utilized in terms of developing the human capital of Angola and its regions.