ECONOMIC MIGRATION: SOCIO-ECONOMIC INVESTIGATION ON WHY PEOPLE MIGRATE FROM THE GAMBIA TO EUROPE

Abstract

This paper attempts to show how migration is today a
global observable fact facing many countries who are
trying to understand and find a way to manage it
effectively. In Africa, like many other nations of the
world, pull and push factors of migration are pertinent
and require a concerted and deliberate political will and
sensitisation to contain the issue. The paper shows how
Africa is weighed down with identity crisis of varyingdegrees. Competition amongst individual families who
wish their children travel to Europe, the perennial
problems of poverty, hunger, disease, social and cultural
affiliations, and opportunities, religious attachment,
economic improvement, the quest for better accessible
and affordable quality education, and urbanisation
leading to possible globalisation characterised the
reasons why people move from within the state or
country. The paper will provide an introduction to the
mainstream and give direction to the thesis; an overview
of economic migration by Africans to other nations. The
paper also intends to highlight the positive and negative
impacts of migration in Africa. The paper used primary
and secondary data. Results were analysed and
displayed using the triangulation method of data display.
The results of the discussion through personal interviews
and observation revealed how those who migrated to
Europe have improved the economy and living standard
of their families despite horrific dangers, cruel
treatment, and death which characterized their exodus
and stay in foreign lands. The paper provides great
insights into the discourse. The paper suggests that
globalisation and the quest for better life and
opportunities play significant roles in determining the
extent of pull factor in economic migration amongst
Africans on the lifestyle and dignity of the migrants.