Making migration a development factor: the case of North and West Africa

Many individuals migrate in the hope of attaining better living and working conditions for themselves and their families – a fact which highlights the important role of the labour market for the individual in the migration experience. But the labour market also plays an important role in the manner in which migrant workers contribute to economic development in the country of destination and how migration influences development in the country of origin.

Countries of destination stand to benefit from migration because an inflow
of workers can help address skill shortages and a declining labour supply;
contribute to a potential resurgence of many traditional sectors, such as the
agricultural and service sectors; and an influx of workers can help finance
pension schemes and other social security measures. At the same time,
these benefits must be weighed against any perceived impacts or consequences
that migrant workers have on the labour market of destination
countries.