International Migrations to and from Zimbabwe and the Influence of Political Changes on Population Movements, 1965–1987

Studies of voluntary international population migrations have frequently shown that, because the movements are based on choice, the principal motivating factors are economic. Permanent international migrations are therefore seen as an adjustment to economic inequalities in that migrants move from one country in the hope of obtaining better employment and higher incomes in another country. However, this article suggests that the special case of southern African countries (Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe), in which the majority of permanent movers have historically been whites of European origin, requires that greater attention should be given to the politico-structural context of voluntary international migrations. Statistical data on international migrations to and from Zimbabwe during the past quarter of a century are used to demonstrate that the temporal magnitude and spatial patterns of population movements are best explained by reference to the changing political, rather than economic, conditions within the country.