In today’s interconnected world, the relationships between food security, inequality, and migration are becoming increasingly important. Our MiFOOD paper, Linking Food Security with Development, Inequality, and South-South, explores these critical issues and highlights five distinctive ways in which these dynamics interact, especially in the context of South-South migration. This blog post breaks down the key insights from the paper and reflects on their broader implications.
Inequality as a Driver of Migration and Food Insecurity
Inequality is often a major driver of migration. In countries across the Global South, economic disparities and limited access to resources, education, or employment opportunities push individuals to seek better opportunities elsewhere. The paper highlights how inequality—both of opportunity and outcome—often contributes directly to migration aspirations and movements. Inequality of opportunity refers to unequal access to essential services such as healthcare, employment, and education, while inequality of outcomes manifests as disparities in living standards, including income, food security, and wealth.
The food security status of individuals and households plays a crucial role in shaping migration decisions. Food insecurity often acts as a “push factor,” prompting people to migrate in search of better conditions. We cite research showing how worsening food insecurity in countries such as Ethiopia and regions like sub-Saharan Africa increases migration desires, especially among youth who face increasing challenges related to food availability and affordability.
Food Insecurity as a Precursor to Forced Migration
While inequality and food insecurity influence voluntary migration, we also draw attention to the critical role that food insecurity plays in forced migration. When food systems collapse due to crises such as conflict, economic downturns, or climate change, migration often becomes a matter of survival. Conflict and war, in particular, are powerful triggers of forced migration, with food insecurity being both a cause and a consequence of conflict.
For example, our paper highlights how crises in countries such as Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe have led to massive displacements due to the severe deterioration of their food systems and food accessibility of households. In these cases, people who might not have otherwise migrated were forced to flee their homes to escape limited availability of food, extreme hunger and malnutrition. These movements have affected cross-border migration patterns, with displaced individuals often seeking refuge in neighboring countries within the Global South, exacerbating regional food insecurity and inequality.
Remittances as a Lifeline for Food Security
The role of remittances in alleviating food insecurity cannot be understated. Migrant remittances are a vital lifeline for many households in sending countries, providing critical resources for food, healthcare, and education. The paper underscores that remittances often serve as a buffer against food insecurity for families left behind, improving their access to food and reducing their vulnerability to shocks.
However, we also highlight the complex relationship between remittances and inequality. While remittances can improve the food security of recipient households, not all households have access to them. This creates a divide between households that benefit from remittances and those that do not, further entrenching inequality. Additionally, for the migrants themselves, the pressure to send remittances can increase their own vulnerability, leading to food insecurity and hardship in destination countries.
Migrants as Key Actors in Food Systems
Migrants play an essential role in food systems in both sending and receiving countries. In migrant-sending areas, remittances can support smallholder agricultural production, helping to sustain farming activities and prevent deagrarianization. For example, migration has been shown to support subsistence farming in countries such as Nicaragua, where migrant remittances enable families to continue small-scale agriculture despite economic hardships.
In destination countries, migrants are often integral to food production and distribution, particularly in low-wage agricultural sectors. Migrants working on farms, in markets, and in food retail contribute to the food security of the local populations in these countries. However, the working conditions for many migrant labourers are often precarious, with low wages, unsafe environments, and limited access to social protections, which can affect their own food security and well-being.
Migrant Precarity and Food Insecurity
The final key insight from our paper is the precarious food security status of migrants themselves. Migrants, especially those in irregular or undocumented situations, face numerous challenges in accessing food in their host countries. These include legal barriers, discrimination, lack of access to formal employment, and poor living conditions. We highlight examples of severe food insecurity among migrant populations in countries like South Africa, Pakistan, and Ecuador, where migrants struggle to secure sufficient and nutritious food.
For example, Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa report high levels of food insecurity despite leaving Zimbabwe to escape its economic crisis. The paper suggests that migrant food insecurity is often overlooked in the broader migration-development discourse, even though it is a critical issue that directly affects the well-being of millions of people.
A Nuanced Approach to Migration and Development
Our findings challenge the often-celebratory narrative of migration as a “virtuous circle” that benefits both sending and receiving countries. While migration can indeed contribute to development, it is not without its downsides, especially when examined through the lens of inequality and food security. A more nuanced understanding of the migration-development nexus is therefore called for, one that takes into account the inequalities and vulnerabilities that migrants face throughout the migration process.
More comprehensive research and policy approaches that address the intersections between migration, food security, and inequality are required. Specifically, there is a need for policies that protect migrants from exploitation and ensure their food security, both in transit and at their destination. At the same time, sending countries should develop policies that leverage remittances in ways that reduce inequality and promote sustainable food systems.
Addressing the Hidden Realities of Migration
In a world where migration is increasingly seen as a solution to development challenges, it is essential to recognize the complex relationships between food security, inequality, and migration. The insights from this paper highlight the need for a more balanced approach to migration that considers not just the benefits but also the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by migrants and their families. By addressing the root causes of food insecurity and inequality, policymakers can help create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
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