2025-02-09-世界银行-移民在非洲城市劳动力市场的处境如何_（英）_53页_1mb

Report Summary

Migrant Integration in Africa’s Urban Labor Markets

Brief Overview

The study examines the labor market integration of internal migrants in six African countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Tanzania, Uganda) using census and survey data. Contrary to the common assumption that migrants negatively impact urban development, the findings indicate that migrants integrate swiftly and well into urban labor markets, with better outcomes in towns compared to cities. Rural-to-city migration faces the most challenges but still allows for significant integration over time.

Key Findings

1. Migrant Contribution to Urban Labor Force

   • Migrants constitute approximately one-third of the urban labor force across the six countries.
   • Short-term and rural migrants are more likely to enter cities, with a slight educational advantage for urban-to-urban migrants.

2. Labor Market Integration

   • Migrants are at least as likely to be employed as nonmigrants, with employment gaps narrowing over the first three years of stay.
   • Employment and income outcomes are favorable in towns but significantly in cities, particularly for rural-to-city migrants who face an earnings penalty.
   • Migrant hourly wages increase over time, and longer hours do not immediately translate into higher earnings, which disappears after adjustment for job type.

3. Welfare Outcomes

   • Household income and consumption per adult equivalent are similar between migrants and nonmigrants, suggesting no discernible welfare gap.
   • Rural-to-city migrants face the biggest challenges but still achieve full integration in income and consumption after a few years.

4. Duration and Heterogeneity

   • Integration improves with duration of stay, especially for rural migrants.
   • Migrants from urban areas integrate faster than those from rural areas, driven by higher educational levels.

5. Policy Implications

   • Policies hindering internal migration are not supported by evidence.
   • Further research using longitudinal data is needed to fully understand migration dynamics.

Methodology

• Individual and urban-level data from six African countries.
• Multivariate regression models controlling for individual characteristics and city size.
• Appropriate corrections for selection bias and non-random sample design.

Conclusion

Migrants integrate well into Africa’s urban labor markets, challenging the traditional view of them as a source of urban underdevelopment. Tailored policies are needed to support integration, particularly for rural-to-urban migrants.