Migration and development in Ethiopia: Exploring the mechanisms behind an emerging mobility transition

Abstract

This article examines the impact of Ethiopia’s historical development on the nature, volume, and direction of internal and international migration. We describe three important trends associated with an emerging ‘mobility transition’: the sedentarization of nomadic and semi-nomadic populations; the urbanization of internal migration trajectories; and the diversification of international migration. Within these overarching trends, we discuss periods of political conflict, resettlement, and famine that led to significant internal and international displacement. We then explore the drivers of these mobility shifts, evaluating the relative influence of various political, economic, cultural, and technological developments on migration patterns over time. Our analyses distinguish between the deep drivers of an emerging mobility transition (e.g. nation-state formation, rising educational attainment, infrastructure development, and industrialization) and the drivers of displacement (e.g. political conflict or resettlement programs) that can suddenly affect the movements of large population segments. This detailed case study contributes to a growing body of research on the ‘mobility transition’ by revealing how a society’s entire mobility complex changes—not only levels of international migration—as the social transformations associated with modern-day development proceed.

Genomic analysis of Plasmodium vivax describes patterns of connectivity and putative drivers of adaptation in Ethiopia

“…The high connectivity between the P. vivax populations in Metekel and the southern districts may therefore reflect a large influx of migrant workers from these regions. Although Gondar and Shewa Robit are > 400 km apart, the high connectivity is consistent with historical cultural ties between these districts 55 . Another distinct pattern observed in our dataset was moderate differentiation between Jimma and neighbouring districts in the south of the country.…”

Genomic analysis of Plasmodium vivax identifies putative drivers of adaptation and connectivity across diverse districts in Ethiopia

“…The high connectivity between the P. vivax populations in Metekel and the southern districts may therefore re ect a large in ux of migrant workers from these regions. Although Gondar and Shewa Robit are > 400 km apart, the high connectivity is consistent with historical cultural ties between these districts 54 . Another distinct pattern observed in our dataset was moderate differentiation between Jimma and neighbouring districts in the south of the country.…”

The Migration Response to Food Insecurity and Household Shocks in Southwestern Ethiopia, 2005–2008

“…Vulnerability to food insecurity and income shocks in the country is comparatively high in both rural and urban populations, and much of the population is not covered by a public sector safety net (Alem and Söderbom 2012; World Bank 2020, 27; United Nations 2022). Furthermore, the barriers to rural–urban and international migration have progressively declined over time with the expansion and improvement of a national road network and transportation infrastructure (Schewel and Asmamaw 2021). The theory of cumulative causation, as applied to migration by Massey and others (Massey 1990; Massey et al 1993), predicts that this increase in migration will lead to the development and expansion of internal and international migration networks, which in turn will make migration an option to an even larger proportion of the population.…”

“…Episodes of famine-induced migration have been relatively common in Ethiopia's recent history (Berhanu and White 2000; Ezra and Kiros 2001; Franson and Kuschiminder 2009), and over the last three decades, internal migration to urban areas and international migration have steadily increased (UNDESA 2021). Significant improvements in Ethiopia's national road network and transportation infrastructure have facilitated mobility within the country and lowered barriers to cross-border migration and international air travel (Schewel and Asmamaw 2021). Regional cities and the national capital, Addis Ababa, have experienced significant growth over the last two decades, and migration from rural areas is the largest component of this growth (Dorosh and Schmidt 2010).…”