Migration patterns in Swaziland: A conceptual analysis of the trends and patterns

Abstract

This conceptual paper discusses migration practice in Swaziland in light of international theories on migration. As a corollary, the paper unveils literature on Swazi migration as well as discusses migration patterns, trends and developments in Swaziland as revealed in numerous studies. The central thesis is that migration studies on Swaziland have been focused on historical accounts, explaining current trends and narrating challenges to migration. There has been little attention given to the linkages between migration in Swaziland and migration theory. The dearth of theory application has resulted in some analytical gaps in literature which as an example, are revealed through the new economics of labour migration theory. In applying the theory to migration practice, the paper suggests that development efforts can be better devised and enacted.