Françoise De Bel-Air

Asian Migration to the Gulf States in the Twenty-first Century

This chapter draws a general demographic picture of migration to the six Gulf countries, with an emphasis on Asian migrants. Following the introduction, Sect. 2 assesses the link between oil prices, economic growth, and labor needs. Section 3 highlights the political underpinnings of the national composition of migration flow to the region, until present day. Section 4 examines some economic and socio-political challenges to reforming the kafala (sponsorship) system. Using the most recent receiving countries’ statistics, Sect. 5 describes Asian communities in the various Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States, their size, national composition, and most salient characteristics as of the mid-2010s. The conclusion assesses possible future trends for Asian migration to the GCC region, in the light of latest economic developments and the post-Arab uprisings’ political context.

‘Blocked’ Youth: The Politics of Migration from South and East Mediterranean Countries Before and After the Arab Uprisings

AbstractMigration from South and East Mediterranean (SEM) countries has been considered a growing security threat in the EU and Gulf states following the 9/11 attacks and the Arab uprisings. Since 2011, the economic slowdown, regime changes and socio-political instability have spurred growing migration pressure from SEM countries. However, the securitisation of migration of young citizens from these countries in the EU and the Gulf states is manifested in the drastic limitation of migrants’ inflows, and in the selection of prospective migrants on demographic, socio-economic and political grounds. Today’s ‘governmentality’ of youth migration from SEM countries poses ethical and development-related issues.Abstract Migration from South and East Mediterranean (SEM) countries has been considered a growing security threat in the EU and Gulf states following the 9/11 attacks and the Arab uprisings. Since 2011, the economic slowdown, regime changes and socio-political instability have spurred growing migration pressure from SEM countries. However, the securitisation of migration of young citizens from these countries in the EU and the Gulf states is manifested in the drastic limitation of migrants’ inflows, and in the selection of prospective migrants on demographic, socio-economic and political grounds. Today’s ‘governmentality’ of youth migration from SEM countries poses ethical and development-related issues.