CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1.Background to the Study

Internal migration is a concept that has significant implications for economic, social, and political dynamics within countries. Migration is a natural human reflex as old as humanity. Although a natural reflex, it can be effectively argued that some factors have accounted for its pervasive nature in contemporary times. However, with the unprecedented rise of globalization in all its facets, internal migration remains one of those consequences of globalization which cannot be undermined. In Cameroon, internal migration has increasingly shaped the socio-economic land scape driven by a myriad of factors including; urbanization, economic opportunities, educational pursuits and socio-political challenges. Understanding the impact of this mobility on economic welfare is crucial for fostering balanced regional development and formulating effective public policies.

The movement of people has always been justified by the economic, social and political reasons. The semi-skilled and skilled movement of people in the past especially around the 1960s had always been an issue when the direction became unbalanced with Western Europe and North America being the destination country for brilliant Cameroonians. From independence between 1960 and 1979, the economy of Cameroon grew at rate of 3% and 5% per annum real terms (Akoj Afangah, 2021) this period was marked by rapid increase in job opportunities and slow population growth. The increase in economic growth of about 7% was due to the rising prices of primary product which Cameroon exported such as; cocoa, coffee, banana and petrol. This period extended to 10 years of negative economic growth and worsening living conditions (W Easterly, Journal of economic growth 1999).

Internal migration is a pivotal force in shaping the demographic, social, and economic landscape of countries around the world. In Cameroon, the complexities of this phenomenon present both opportunities and challenges that merit comprehensive exploration. With urban centers increasingly attracting a significant influx of residents from rural arears, understanding the implication of internal migration on economic welfare is critical for developing effective policies that promotes inclusive growth and address inequalities within the nation.

Cameroon has witnessed various waves of internal migration influenced by factors such as; colonial history, economic transitions, and political developments. During the colonial era, migration patterns were often shaped by the demand for labor in plantations and in cities, creating established routes and socio-economic ties between rural and urban areas. Post-independence, political stability and economic reforms have spurred further urbanization, especially following the liberalization of the economy in the 1990s, which led to increased economic activities in urban regions (Tambi, 2015).

The economic landscape of Cameroon is characterized by a dual economy-one that thrives in urban centers and another, struggles in rural areas. Urban regions like; Douala, the economic capital and Yaounde, the political capital, severs as hubs for commerce, trade, and industries offering more robust economic opportunities compared to the mainly agrarian rural areas. Cameroon is fund in Central Africa. It is situated in the Gulf of Guinea extending to the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by Nigeria in the West, Chad in the North-East Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of Congo to the South. Cameroon is also called Africa in miniature for its geological and cultural diversity. The country is also rich in natural resources, agriculture, forestry, water and mining (Poverty reduction strategy paper, 2009). According to World population prospect (2004), Cameroon has a population approximately 16.3 million people. Within 6years, the population has rapidly increased to approximately 19,294,149 million inhabitants (CIA, Facebook, 2010).

Urban areas, particularly cities like Douala and Yaounde, offer better infrastructure, access to services and economic opportunities compared to rural regions which are often plagued by poverty, limited access to education and inadequate healthcare facilities. As a result, many individuals, especially the youths, are motivated to migrate from Rural to Urban areas in search for better livelihoods. According to National Institute of Statistics (NIS), the urban population in Cameroon has been growing at a rapid pace, with projections indicating that by 2050, approximately 70% of the population could reside in urban areas. This shift poses both as an opportunity and challenges for the county’s socio-economic development. However, the benefits of these resources are often concentrated in urban centers, exacerbating existing inequalities. The unemployment rate remains a pressing issue, particularly among the youth, which furthers fuels the rural-urban migration trend.

Simultaneously, the rural areas are often characterized by poverty, limited access to quality education and healthcare and lack of infrastructure. Such disparities compel many Cameroonians to migrate too cities seeking better prospects for employment, education and living conditions. The primary drivers of internal migration in Cameroon is the pursuit for better economic opportunities. Urban areas offer a wider array of job prospects, often in sectors such as; commerce, services and manufacturing. Classical macro-economics theories argues that the difference in origin and destination of communities and countries is one of the main reasons that people migrate. Newer economic theories add that households use migration to reduce economic risk by diversifying their source of income. For example, some members of the household remain at home, engaging in subsistent agriculture, while others move to Urban areas to engage in wage employment.

Most migrant are young people seeking work. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), global participation of youth labor force has been declining since 1999 and the youth unemployment rate was 13.6% in 2019 (ILO, 2020). Many migrants seek to capitalize on these opportunities to escape the cycle of poverty that often defines rural life. Environmental changes, particularly in the context of climate change can have profound consequences on land, people, and migration. According to the 5^th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC), climate change is projected to increase the displacement of people over the course of the 21^st century (2014). There are four principal by which environmental drivers in general and climate change in particular affect migration patterns. Recurrent and persistent droughts that undermine livelihoods, especially in rural communities that rely on rain-fed agriculture. These combine with desertification, land degradation and ecosystem loss that also affect livelihoods.

Urban centers provide better educational facilities, attracting families who seek improved educational outcomes for their children. Access to higher education and vocational training is often seen as a means to secure stable employment, which further drives migration.  Social networks play a significant role in migration decisions. Family and friends who have already migrated often influence others to follow suit, creating established migrant communities that can provide support and resources for new commers. Family formation and family reunification are important social drivers of migration, whether to a new home or in the same nearby community or thousands of miles away to a new country. In the case of family formation, a migrant moves to marry or with the intention to marry or resides as a family unit with a resident (national or foreigner) in the country of destination. In family reunification, one spouse or parent migrates and then bring other family members to join him or her.

Political instability, conflict and human right violations are further causes of migration. Some of the displacement of population may be defined as refugees while others are internally displaced without the legal protections afforded to refugees. In this case, the government of the countries may be implicated in the action that displace people. In other cases, non-state actors ranging from insurgent forces and terrorist organizations to family members may threaten the security of those who are displaced. The key to whether people are force to flee lies in the extent to which the government have the capacity and will to intercede on behalf of the potential victim and provide them with protection.

Relatively few of those affected by the macro drivers described above actually migrate, especially to other countries. Those affected by such drivers can be divided into four distinct groups, based on whether they do or do not move, and whether they move voluntarily or not; those who move voluntarily, those who involuntarily move, those who voluntarily remain at home and those who involuntarily remain at home even though they might prefer to migrate (Carling, 2002). Understanding migration requires analysis of the facilitators and barriers not only to movement but to immobility. Some of these facilitators and barriers to movement and immobility related to household, family and individual characteristics of affected population. while internal migration can provide opportunities for improved economic welfare for the migrant population, it is also fraught with challenges which includes;

Social integration and discrimination. Migrants may encounter social barriers and discrimination in urban areas, leading to isolation and decreased quality of life. This social exclusion may hinder their ability to form networks that could enhance economic opportunities. The migrants may frequently face challenges in accessing healthcare, education, housing and other critical basic services. Urban centers can be overburden and many migrants will have little or no access to social safety nets. The transition from rural to urban environments often involves an adjustment to different socio-cultural norms that can be challenging for many individuals, particularly those from traditional backgrounds. Other facilitators and barriers to migration are systematic, rather than tied to the household. These factors also influence the trends and patterns of migration. For example communication revolution helps potential migrants to learn about job opportunities, encouraging and enabling people to move to urban centers. As a result, many migrants end up in informal jobs that pays low wages and lack benefits, often working in sectors that do not fully utilize their skills and qualifications.

Economic welfare is a multifaceted concept encompassing income levels, access to essential services, employment status and overall quality of life. For many internal migrants in Cameroon, the transition to urban life can be a double-edged sword. While some may experience improve economic circumstances, others face challenges such as unemployment. Many migrants find themselves in informal sectors with low wages and job insecurity failing to reach the economic potential they envisioned. The integration of migrants into urban communities can be complicated as well as they may experience discrimination and social isolation which will negatively impact their emotional and mental welfare.

1.2.Statement of the Problem.

Internal migration in Cameroon has become an increasingly prevalent phenomenon, driven by various factors including economic opportunities, educational prospects and socio-political conditions. Despite the potential benefits that could arise from this mobility, such as enhanced labor market flexibility and improved access to services, there is a significant gap in understanding its actual impact on economic welfare, particularly among different demographic and regional groups.

Internal migration in Cameroon has emerged as a significant socio-economic phenomenon characterizing the movement of people from rural to urban areas in search of better opportunities. This mobility is deeply influenced by several factors including, economic disparities across regions, the pursuit of education, access to healthcare services and reaction to political instability. While internal migration can potentially enhance economic outcomes both for migrants and receiving regions, the reality often presents a complex scenario marked by both benefits and challenges. Despite the potential advantages of internal migration, such as increased work force participation and regional economic development, the empirical evidence regarding its overall impact on economic welfare remains scares. Economic welfare encompasses not only income levels but also employment status, access to basic services and overall quality life, which can be significantly affected by the conditions surrounding migration.

This research seeks to investigate the complex dynamics of internal migration and its effects on household economic welfare in Cameroon, which includes aspects like; income levels, employment quality and life quality of migrants and their families. Thee lack of comprehensive data and analysis on how internal migration influences these variables poses challenges for policy makers aiming to harness the benefits of migration while mitigating its potential drawbacks. Therefore, understanding the relationship between internal migration and household economic welfare is critical for developing targeted socio-economic strategies that promote inclusive growth and address the disparities faced by various migrant population within the country.

In Cameroon, a nation characterized by its diverse ethnic group, cultural riches and varying regional economic activities, internal migration presents both opportunities and challenges.

Furthermore, the uneven distribution of resources and opportunities between urban centers and rural areas exacerbates disparities, raising questions about the equitable distribution of economic benefits derived from migration. According to the World Bank (2020), over 60% of Cameroon population resides in urban centers, leading to increased demand for services and competing pressure on housing and employment, limited understanding of how internal migration patterns and movement affects various aspects of economy limits the ability of policymakers to implement effective interventions. Research indicates that, while migration can enhance individual income (UNDP,2019), it may simultaneously exacerbate inequality and strain social service in urban centers (Nkuembe and Adamou, 2015). Therefore, this study seeks to fill the research gap by examining the impact of internal migration on household economic welfare in Cameroon and identify policy recommendations to harness positive development linked to migration flows.

1.3 Research Questions.

Main Research Question

What is the impact of internal migration on household economic welfare in Cameroon?

Specific Research Questions.

The research sought to address the following specific questions:

• What are the drivers of internal migration in Cameroon?
• What is the role of urban-rural migration on household economic welfare in Cameroon?
• To what extent does rural-urban migration influence household economic welfare in Cameroon?

1.3.Research Objectives.

Main Research Objective.

To examine the influence of internal migration on household economic welfare in Cameroon

Specific Research Objectives.

• To discuss the drivers of internal migration in Cameroon.
• Investigate the role of urban-rural migration on household economic welfare in Cameroon.
• Explore the influence of rural-urban migration on household economic welfare in Cameroon.