Foreign aid and the ‘root causes’ of migration

Foreign aid is often used to address the root causes of migration as a way to reduce migrant flows. However, the effectiveness of such approaches remains unclear. This column combines individual survey data with data on World Bank projects and on bilateral migration flows to examine how foreign aid influences migration preferences and flows. Results show that aid can temporarily reduce irregular migration but may lead to increased regular migration as conditions improve over time. Policymakers should consider these dynamics when designing migration strategies to balance immediate and long-term effects.