Abstract

PIP: Preliminary data from a survey of migration in 4 cities of Mali, all located on the Niger river, are the basis for an assessment of the characteristics of migrants to the cities. Mali as a whole is still 80% rural, and urban migration does not absorb the entire natural increase of the countryside. But the arrival and absorption of rural migrants already poses serious problems. The study was conducted in 2 regional metropolises, Mopti and Segou, and 2 small cities, Dire and Ke-Macina. The average rate of growth of the cities, except Ke-Macina, was about 3%/year between 1976-87. The data presented in the article concern men who arrived at age 15 or older and who were aged 15-59 at the survey date. The average age of respondents at their 1st migration was surprisingly high: 26.2 years in Segou, 27.1 in Mopti, 28.7 in Dire, and 27.3 in Macina. Proportions ranging from 39.5% in Macina to 62.2% in Dire migrated directly to their current city. Apart from some migrants who were transferred to the 4 cities in the course of their employment, most of the migrants were poorly educated or illiterate. Around 70% had never had a job that was urban in character. About 1/4 spoke some French. 1/4 had no knowledge of Bambara, the most widely spoken language. None of the cities had secondary sectors in need of unskilled labor. Most migrants arrive with no means of support, but a large proportion can count on the assistance of previously migrated family members, at least for a time. Given the lack of preparation of most migrants, their assimilation into the labor force is difficult. They are absorbed into the least specialized and least well paying jobs. Primary sector jobs in agriculture or fishing retain considerable importance in these smaller cities. Most migrants do not encounter the means of improving their economic situation in the urban environment, and strategies for survival soon replace hopes of advancement.