Does It Take a Village? Migration among Rural South African Youth
Tyler W Myroniuk1, Michael J White2, Mark Gross3
1(1) George Mason University, Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Population Research and Policy Review
|September 24, 2019
Summary
Community development influences youth migration decisions in rural Africa, but individual and household factors remain more significant. This study explores village characteristics
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Sociology
- African Studies
Background:
- Community characteristics are vital for child development in rural Africa.
- The role of community factors in youth migration is not well understood, especially beyond individual and household influences.
- Youth migration in low- and middle-income countries is often driven by the need to access resources for families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between village development markers and the propensity of youth to migrate.
- To differentiate between temporary and permanent migration among young adults.
- To assess the extent to which community factors predict youth migration in a rural African setting.
Main Methods:
- Utilized discrete-time event history models.
- Analyzed data from the 2003-2011 Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System in rural South Africa.
- Examined the relationship between village development indicators and youth migration likelihood.
Main Results:
- Village characteristics were found to be associated with youth migration.
- These community factors differentially predicted migration likelihood.
- However, village characteristics did not predict migration as substantially as individual and household factors.
Conclusions:
- Community development markers play a role in youth migration decisions in rural South Africa.
- The impact of village characteristics on migration is less pronounced than previously assumed.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the interplay of community, individual, and household factors in youth migration patterns.
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