Patterns and differentials of migration in Botswana

Abstract

Migration is an important component of population growth and it has signifi cant social and economic implications for a country. In this paper we analyse the patterns and differentials of internal migration in Botswana using the 2011 Population and Housing Census (PHC) data. Both lifetime migrations and short-duration migration have been analysed. The study noted that the volume of internal migrations has increased over the years and patterns also changed over time. During the period 2010-2011, there were about 165 thousands in-migrations and 149 thousands out-migrations in Botswana. As regards the international migrations, the study noted that an emigration of 1203 persons and immigration of 17,375 persons during 2010-2011 was realised. The major destinations for immigration are Gaborone and Kweneng East. Among the immigrations more than 50% of them were from Zimbabwe. As regards the migrations differentials the propensity to migrate is almost the same for both males and females. This is in contrast to most developing countries. The propensity to migrate is greater among adults (15-34 age), the educated, those who have never married, those living together, Christians, the employed, jobseekers and students. To conclude, the fl ow of movements among the population is likely to increase in the future and therefore appropriate policies needs to be developed to meet the demands created due to migrations. These demands are in the form of services such as housing, water, sanitation and other infrastructural facilities.