Migration and development in Mozambique: poverty, inequality and survival

Abstract

Migration is many Mozambicans' preferred employment option (and sometimes last resort). Rural southern Mozambique, short of resources and traditionally less productive agriculturally than other regions of Mozambique, is now more developed and better off than other rural areas. An inter-regional analysis of the South, Centre and North of Mozambique demonstrates developmental differences largely attributable to labour migration (mainly to South Africa) and remittances. However, although migrant worker households, usually deficit agricultural producers largely dependent on migrant remittances, are often better off than non-migrant ones, many are still vulnerable to poverty. Migration has changed significantly over the last 15 years, with the eclipsing of mine migration and the increasing scarcity of jobs available to young Mozambicans. Despite the overall positive economic impact of migrant labour in southern Mozambique, as remittances decrease because earnings are lower and mechanisms for transfer are limited, its benefit may diminish.

¹Independent Consultant, Mozambique.

The author would like to express his gratitude to the National Roads Administration (ANE) and the consultancy company Austral Consultoria e Projectos, Lda, for allowing the use of household interview data collected during a survey of rehabilitated roads during the period 1999–2001.

Notes

¹Independent Consultant, Mozambique.