Returnee Emigrants The Case of Mekelle City, Ethiopia

Abstract

Migration has a great economic, cultural, social and political consequence in both sendingand receiving country. However, information about the demographic and socio-economicstatus of international Ethiopian migrants is limited. This study was aimed to assess thedemographic and social-economic status of returnee emigrants from the Gulf States within2010-2015, the main causes of emigration, problems faced by returnees and intention tomigrate again. Survey was conducted using mixed research design in Mekelle City,Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data were collected from a total of 200 randomlyselected returnees, government offices and members of different civic societies. Structuredquestionnaire and interview guides were used to collect data. It was found that 98.5% ofthe returnee emigrants were in the age group of 18-45. Majorities were literate (96.5%).The main reason reported for their emigration was poverty as 62.0% of the respondentsput their responses. They have experienced physical, sexual abuse during the journey andat the place of destination. More than three in ten (35.5%) returnees had the intention tomigrate again. Female sex [AOR=0.46, (95% CI: 0.25-0.85)] and currently married[AOR=0.42, (95% CI: 0.21-0.85)] were negatively associated with wanted to migrateagain. To sum up, productive and literate people had been migrated to the Gulf Statesbecause of economic reasons. To address the issue of return migration, focus should begiven to unmarried people and male sex.