Based on 2,083 surveys carried out with refugees and migrants surveyed in West and North Africa as part of the Mixed Migration Centre’s 4Mi project, this paper seeks to contribute to the empirical basis for a holistic migrant-centered approach by examining a variety of elements that factor into migration decision-making. It does so by revisiting recent debates on migration decision-making, including through work by ICMPD in the context of the Rabat Process, and follows with an analysis of 4Mi quantitative data looking at 1) reasons people left their country of departure; 2) influences on their migration decision and 3) perceptions of possible alternatives to migration.

This report was prepared for the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development (Rabat Process) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) as part of the partnership between MMC and ICMPD to foster effective and sustainable migration policies and programmes.