Xenophobia, International Migration and Human Development

Jonathan Crush () and Sujata Ramachandran
Additional contact information
Jonathan Crush: Southern African Migration Project (SAMP) and Southern African Research Centre (Queen’s University)
Sujata Ramachandran: Southern African Migration Project (SAMP)

No HDRP-2009-47, Human Development Research Papers (2009 to present) from Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Abstract: In the continuing discussion on migration and development, the vulnerability of all migrant groups to exploitation and mistreatment in host countries has been highlighted along with an emphasis on protecting their rights. However, xenophobia has not yet received explicit attention although anti-migrant sentiments and practices are clearly on the rise even in receiving countries in developing regions. Despite gaps in existing empirical work, research and anecdotal evidence exposes pervasive forms of discrimination, hostility, and violence experienced by migrant communities, with the latter becoming easy scapegoats for various social problems in host countries. This study attempts to insert xenophobia in this debate on migration and development by examining the growth of this phenomenon in host countries in the South. It provides short accounts of xenophobia witnessed in recent times in five countries including South Africa, India, Malaysia, Libya, and Thailand. The ambiguity surrounding the concept is discussed and crucial features that define xenophobia are outlined. A variety of methods to study it are likewise identified. Using a wide range of examples from diverse contexts, the paper explores possible reasons for the intensification of xenophobia. The final sections of the paper briefly outline the developmental consequences of rampant xenophobia for migrant and host populations while examining policy options to tackle it.

Keywords: Xenophobia; anti-immigrant prejudice; violence; intolerance; social exclusion; discrimination; migrant vulnerability; policy; South Africa, India, Libya, Thailand, Malaysia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F22 O1 O15 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 104 pages
Date: 2009-09, Revised 2009-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr, nep-cwa, nep-dev, nep-mig and nep-sea
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Published as background research for the 2009 Human Development Report.

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hdr:papers:hdrp-2009-47

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