Does drought increase migration? A study of migration from rural Mali during the 1983-1985 drought

Using data from a longitudinal panel study conducted in 1982 and 1989 in the first region of Mali, this article demonstrates that the level of migration did not rise during the drought of 1983-1985. However, there was a dramatic increase in the migration of women and children during the severe 1983-1985 drought. Along with this increase in migration by women and children, there was a shift to short-cycle circulation, with 64% of the migrants adopting circular patterns. The study describes the characteristics of these migrants and recommends changes to development and migration policies that will facilitate such migrations in subsequent droughts. -Author