Assessing Irregular Youth Migration in Post-War Tigray: Causes and Consequences in the Case of Gulomokeda Wereda

Abstract

This thesis investigates irregular youth migration in post-war Tigray, focusing on Gulomokeda Wereda. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data, the study employed a cross-sectional survey of 106 migrant returnees, complemented by focus group discussions with local elders, school principals, and community leaders, while secondary data from government offices provided historical context. Stratified sampling was used to ensure representation, and Yamane’s formula determined a sample size of 98 from a population of 4,621 households across three strata. The findings show that irregular youth migration is driven by multiple interrelated factors, including socio-economic pressures, limited educational opportunities, and the lingering impacts of conflict, with unemployment identified as the most critical push factor. These migration patterns have wide-ranging consequences, particularly the disruption of family structures, the loss of productive labor that weakens local economies, and the erosion of community cohesion. In general, the study highlights localized dynamics of post-war youth migration in Tigray and offers insights to guide policy responses by local authorities and international organizations.