Migration policy framework for Africa and plan of action (2018 – 2030) 3. Migration trends and patterns in Africa Historically, migration in Africa is generally categorised into three main periods: migration during pre-colonial, during colonial and post-colonial times. Colonisation and post-independence links with former colonial powers greatly shaped the migration patterns observed today, and will continue to influence future trends 5,6. The driving forces, dynamics and patterns of migration vary across Africa’s regions. However, over the last 15 years migration has increased in all of Africa’s regions, and is characterised by a largely young migrant population, that is under the age of 30, and diverse migratory flows. These flows include increasing numbers of migrant women, rural to urban migration, migration for seasonal work and labour migration, and a rise in young people in search of decent work and educational opportunities, as well as irregular migration and large numbers of refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The root causes of migration and mobility in Africa are numerous and inter-related. The push-pull framework provides insight into this complex web of factors. Lack of socioeconomic opportunities and the rule of law, weak institutions of governance, patronage and corruption, inequality, political instability, conflict, terrorism, civil strife and climate change are major push factors. Pull factors include the real or perceived opportunities for employment and decent work, a better life, higher income, improved security, and superior education and health care in countries of destination. The pushpull dynamic is intensified by a number of other factors that facilitate migration. These include the lower costs of migration; improved communication, especially social media and the internet; greater information availability; and the need to join relatives, families and friends. The movement of people - voluntary or forced, legal or undocumented, within or across borders - is a complex process that affects policy making in a wide range of areas. In 2015 there were an estimated 21 million migrants in Africa, of which 18 million originated from Africa and the rest largely originated from Europe, Asia and North America. 7 Moreover, SouthSouth migration to Africa has increased, primarily through flows of Chinese and Asian migrants, with over one million Chinese estimated to have entered Africa within the last decade alone 8. Despite the international focus on migration flows to Europe, more than 80 per cent of African migration takes place in Africa, 5 Appleyard, Reginald. Emigration dynamics in developing countries. Volume I: Sub-Saharan Africa. England, 1998: pp 1-16 6 Adepoju, Aderanti. Emigration dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa. In ‘Emigration dynamics in developing countries. Volume I: Sub-Saharan Africa’. England, 1998: pp 17-34 20 7 UNDESA Population Division, 2016. 8 UNECA, 2016, Issue Paper, New Directions and Trends in African Migration, p.1.