The Secondary Migration of Afghans from Iran to EU and Its Influencing Factors

Amir Amiri , Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Nasser Mirzahosseini, Ferdowsi University
Reza Ghanbari, Azad University of Mashhad
Hossein Rastegar, Azad University of Mashhad

In this study, we aim to examine the secondary migration of Afghans from Iran to the EU and its influencing factors, based on new evidences. This is done through a case study of young Afghani nationals in two separate fields, one in Iran and the other in France (2019). We interviewed 50 refugees and migrants. The study addressed how the migrants’ strategies were influenced by the differences in national and international factors, and highlighted the challenge of a secondary migration. At the national level, the economic downturn in Iran has particularly affected the estimated 1 million registered Afghan refugees and the estimated 1.5 million to 2 million undocumented Afghans living there. In addition, the results suggest that when severe economic sanctions are introduced (international factor), they hit not only ordinary citizens, but also they impact the vulnerable communities (Afghans therefore) and trigger the remigration.

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 Presented in Session P3. Poster Session Migration, Economics, Environment, Methods, History and Policy