Socio-economic inequity and decision-making under uncertainty: West African migrants’ journey across the Mediterranean to Europe
Date
2021Author
Dinbabo, Mulugeta F.
Badewa, Adeyemi S.
Yeboah, Collins
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Understanding the nexus between poverty, inequality and decision-making under uncertainty in migrants’ journeys across
the Mediterranean Sea to Europe remains a significant challenge, raising intense scholarly debate. Several suggestions have
been offered on how to reduce migrants’ journeys across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe in several guises, including the
formulation and implementation of proper social, political and economic policies in Africa. Despite all odds and challenges,
migrants from Africa cross state boundaries and stay in transit state(s) for limited periods, en route the Mediterranean
Sea to Europe. Underpinned by different migration theories and conceptual frameworks, our study applied a qualitative
methodology to examine why migrants decide, under uncertainty, to cross the Mediterranean Sea from their countries
of origin to the ultimate destinations in Europe. While focusing on the life experiences of purposively selected migrants
from West Africa, the research seeks to address the underlying factors of irregular migration. The result of this empirical
study clearly illustrates that limited access to opportunities, poverty and unemployment amidst precarious development
challenges and the youth population bulge, exacerbate Africa’s migration crisis. The study finally brings into focus empirical
observations and provides suggestions for stakeholders’ engagement in addressing African migration challenges.