Migration from Africa to Europe is often misunderstood and the myths surrounding it sometimes lead to political decisions that do not address the real challenges. While more Africans are migrating than ever before, about 80% of them remain on the continent, moving to regions with better economic opportunities. Beyond this, the misconception that Africans form the bulk of migrants to Europe is wrong. In fact, there are more migrants from Asia and Europe than there are from Africa. Likewise, the belief that most African migrants in Europe are refugees is wrong — most of them arrive legally for work or education. The fear of a “brain drain” is also oversimplified—remittances and knowledge transfer by skilled migrants often benefit their home countries, making up for their departure. Additionally, claims that climate change will drive mass migration to Europe are unsubstantiated, as most affected individuals stay in their countries due to financial and social constraints.
SOURCE: DW