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Can Information and Alternatives to Irregular Migration Reduce “Backway†Migration from The Gambia?

Author

Listed:
  • Tijan Bah

    (Tijan Bah)

  • Catia Batista

    (Catia Batista)

  • Flore Gubert

    (Flore Gubert)

  • David McKenzie

    (David McKenzie)

Abstract

Irregular migration from West Africa to Europe across the Sahara and Mediterranean is extremely risky for migrants and a key policy concern. A cluster-randomized experiment with 3,641 young men from 391 settlements in The Gambia is used to test three approaches to reducing risky migration: providing better information and testimonials about the risks of the journey, facilitating migration to a safer destination by providing information and assistance for migration to Dakar, and offering vocational skill training to enhance domestic employment opportunities. Current migration to Senegal was increased by both the Dakar facilitation and vocational training treatments, partially crowding out internal migration. The vocational training treatment reduced intentions to migrate the backway and the number of steps taken toward moving. However, the backway migration rate from The Gambia collapsed, even in the control group, resulting in no space for a treatment effect on irregular migration from any of the three interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Tijan Bah & Catia Batista & Flore Gubert & David McKenzie, 2022. "Can Information and Alternatives to Irregular Migration Reduce “Backway†Migration from The Gambia?," RFBerlin Discussion Paper Series 2219, Rockwool Foundation Berlin (RF Berlin).
    • Handle: RePEc:crm:wpaper:2219
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    File URL: https://www.cream-migration.org/publ_uploads/CDP_19_2022.pdf
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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