What happens after refugees and migrants reach Niger?
Onward movements, immobility, and risks for migrants and refugees.
This infographic is part of a two-publication series examining movements to, within and onward from Niger. The data presented offer insights into how migration decisions evolve over time alongside changing aspirations and exposure to danger. The research draws on a longitudinal design, administering surveys to the same 512 individuals at different points in time.
Understanding refugee and migrant movements to Niger
Key findings
Most respondents (87%) were initially planning to continue their journey beyond Niger.
Among respondents planning to move onward (n=443), half (50%) reported lacking sufficient information on migration rules and regulations in their destination, a gap that could push them into unsafe and irregular journeys.
Secondary movements follow northbound routes: six months later (n=60), 20 respondents had reached North Africa, mainly Algeria (8) and Libya (11), and 10 were in Europe.
Two-thirds (20/30) of respondents were still planning to keep moving after 12 months. Economic aspirations continued to shape intentions over time, as underlying needs remained unresolved.
Intentions changed over time: after a year, 12/30 respondents aimed for a different destination than initially planned, while 10/30 decided to end their journey, including 5 who remained in Niger.
Respondents reported feeling safer over time (41/60 after 6 months and 25/30 after 12 months), regardless of whether they had moved onward or remained in Niger.
Many reported abuses, particularly among those who moved onward from Niger during the first 6-month period (22/30).
Experiencing abuses had a broader impact on migration journeys. Among respondents who reported experiencing abuses during the first 6-month period (n=34), 18 adopted greater protective measures, 14 changed routes, and 13 changed destinations following these incidents.
Mobility and immobility trends 6 months later
Mobility and immobility trends 6 to 12 months later
This publications is part of PACES a 40-month (2023-2026) Horizon Europe project that aims to encourage migration policymakers to adopt migration research as the basis for migration policymaking.
This project has received funding under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, grant agreement N 101094279. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union.
