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Millions of people choose or are forced to stay in their country, despite climate crises, conflicts, or inequalities. It is time to make their voices heard, support their decisions and ensure that no one is invisible because they do not migrate.
of the population migrates. The rest remain. However, immobility is rarely taken into account.
countries, nearly 2,000 interviews to understand the reasons for staying, between aspirations and capabilities.
main factors explaining a complex situation: Poverty, family responsibilities, mistrust, age...
This report allows us to understand the reasons, motivations, and realities of those who remain in their territories. It is a call to also look at what happens when the border is not crossed.
At Ayuda en Acción, we seek to ensure that those who choose to stay do so with dignity, opportunities and a future.
"When I was younger, I thought about emigrating to countries like Spain, but I discovered that within my own country and region I could also find opportunities to grow professionally. Ayuda en Acción has been a key ally for me, improving our capacities and boosting the visibility of our cocoa enterprises".
David Banguero, cocoa farmer in northern Cauca, Colombia.
“What helps us most in the spaces and events created by Ayuda en Acción is networking, getting to know each other among migrants and the host population, supporting each other and learning about each other so we can grow together.”
Zezalem Nigatu cooperative worker in Ethiopia
"Although life led me to migrate temporarily for security reasons, I decided to return. This decision was not easy, but it was motivated by my commitment to my community. I have dedicated a good part of my life to community education and, thanks to the support of Ayuda en Acción, I have strengthened my capacities as a leader, entrepreneur and educator".
Gloria Mercedes Mosquera, Cali, Colombia
A visual overview of the factors that make people stay
According to the areas analyzed, we summarize the conclusions of the report, which provide a better understanding of the factors of social rootedness in Latin America and Africa.
Lack of support, poverty, and inequality:
Many people do not migrate because they simply cannot. They have no money, no access to information, and lack documentation or support. The situation is even more complex where institutional support is weak or non-existent. In some places, there are no basic services, schools, jobs or assistance for those who have migrated, or the procedures for migrating or obtaining legal status are slow or confusing. In these cases, staying is often the only option and not a real choice.
Family care and household responsibilities:
The desire to migrate is closely linked to the duty of caring for someone: children, elderly people, sick people, or family members in general who need support. This makes staying a responsibility. Gender is particularly relevant here, because it is mainly women who take on these tasks, which make an essential social contribution.
Life stages and past experiences:
Age also is a factor. Young people tend to have a greater desire to migrate, especially to find work or independence and have better opportunities, but they face greater legal or economic barriers. Meanwhile, older adults often prefer to stay as a form of shared responsibility.
Distrust in migration systems:
Many people decide to stay not because they do not want to migrate, but because they have already tried and failed. Deportations, violence, scams, or traumatic experiences have marked their previous attempts, so staying becomes a form of protection against the harm they have experienced. On the other hand, the weakness or lack of state support in many areas prevents safe migration. They do not stay because they want to, but because the state does not offer them the conditions to move safely, which, in many of these cases, makes the decision to stay a choice to live in poverty and exclusión.
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