Evolution of migration trajectories and transnational social networks over time: a study among sub-Saharan African migrants in Europe

Kim Caarls, Özge Bilgili*, Sonja Fransen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The transnational social networks of migrants are extensively studied, but little is known about the associations between transnational social networks and individual migration trajectories over the course of migrants’ lives. In this paper, we reconstruct the migration trajectories and transnational social networks of African migrants until their arrival in Europe and develop a typology that reflects the diversity of their trajectories. Based on unique retrospective life-history data of the MAFE project, our comparative perspective highlights the diversity of African migrants residing in Europe, the routes that they took before arriving in Europe and the types of transnational networks they had before, during and after migrating. Furthermore, we discuss the socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics of migrants within each typology. Consequently, this paper challenges the singular African migration stereotype and draws attention to the associations between transnational social networks and migration trajectories.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3310-3328
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Ethnic and Migration Studies
Volume47
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Sept 2021

Keywords

  • Europe
  • Migration trajectories
  • multichannel sequence analysis
  • sub-Saharan Africa
  • transnational networks

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