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A Systematic Review of International and Internal Climate-Induced Migration in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Desmond Oklikah Ofori

    (Department of Geography and Environment, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

  • Elmond Bandauko

    (Department of Geography and Environment, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

  • Senanu Kwasi Kutor

    (Department of Geography and Environment, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

  • Amanda Odoi

    (Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD), University of Cape, Cape Coast 00233, Ghana)

  • Akosua Boahemaa Asare

    (Department of Geography and Environment, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

  • Thelma Akyea

    (Department of Geography and Environment, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

  • Godwin Arku

    (Department of Geography and Environment, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

Abstract

Academics and policymakers have been paying close attention to the impact of climate change on migration in recent years. This phenomenon piqued interest because the factors driving environmentally induced migration are complex and manifold. Noticeably, there has been considerable scholarship on climate change and migration in Africa. However, there has not been a concerted effort to periodically review the existing literature to systematically document the state of scholarship. Using a standardized systematic review procedures to analyze 22 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2022, we found that climate change impacts migration in many complex and multilayered forms. Beyond what has already been established in the literature on climate-related migration such as environmental effects on migration; migration as an adaptation strategy; and the influence of environmental and non-environmental factors on migration; we also found that (1) studies on climate-induced migration in Africa intensely focused on SSA, suggesting an uneven study of the region, (2) heavily affected people tend to be immobile, and (3) young people have high migration intentions due to harsh climate insecurities. These findings require urgent government and stakeholder attention. Specifically, there is a need for scholarship to interrogate the climate change–immobility nexus in order to design appropriate in situ or ex situ adaptation strategies to support lives and livelihoods.

Suggested Citation

  • Desmond Oklikah Ofori & Elmond Bandauko & Senanu Kwasi Kutor & Amanda Odoi & Akosua Boahemaa Asare & Thelma Akyea & Godwin Arku, 2023. "A Systematic Review of International and Internal Climate-Induced Migration in Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:22:p:16105-:d:1283526
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Raphael Nawrotzki & Fernando Riosmena & Lori Hunter, 2013. "Do Rainfall Deficits Predict U.S.-Bound Migration from Rural Mexico? Evidence from the Mexican Census," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 32(1), pages 129-158, February.
    2. Karen E. McNamara & Robin Bronen & Nishara Fernando & Silja Klepp, 2018. "The complex decision-making of climate-induced relocation: adaptation and loss and damage," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(1), pages 111-117, January.
    3. Katrina Jessoe & Dale T. Manning & J. Edward Taylor, 2018. "Climate Change and Labour Allocation in Rural Mexico: Evidence from Annual Fluctuations in Weather," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 128(608), pages 230-261.
    4. Murat Bayar & Mustafa M. Aral, 2019. "An Analysis of Large-Scale Forced Migration in Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-16, October.
    5. Dominic R. Kniveton & Christopher D. Smith & Richard Black, 2012. "Emerging migration flows in a changing climate in dryland Africa," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 2(6), pages 444-447, June.
    6. Katrina Jessoe & Dale T. Manning & J. Edward Taylor, 2018. "Climate Change and Labour Allocation in Rural Mexico: Evidence from Annual Fluctuations in Weather," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 128(608), pages 230-261, February.
    7. David J. Kaczan & Jennifer Orgill-Meyer, 2020. "The impact of climate change on migration: a synthesis of recent empirical insights," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 158(3), pages 281-300, February.
    8. Ng’ang’a, Stanley Karanja & Bulte, Erwin H. & Giller, Ken E. & McIntire, John M. & Rufino, Mariana C., 2016. "Migration and Self-Protection Against Climate Change: A Case Study of Samburu County, Kenya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 55-68.
    9. Cassin, Lesly & Melindi-Ghidi, Paolo & Prieur, Fabien, 2022. "Confronting climate change: Adaptation vs. migration in Small Island Developing States," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Senanu Kwasi Kutor & Oklikah Desmond Ofori & Thelma Akyea & Godwin Arku, 2025. "Climate change-immobility nexus: perspectives of voluntary immobile populations from three coastal communities in Ghana," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 178(2), pages 1-23, February.
    2. Scott Pruysers & Tobias Schminke & Gala Palavicini, 2025. "Personality traits and climate skepticism: evidence from Canada," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 178(3), pages 1-18, March.

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