Mapping the contemporary patterns in intra-regional migration: A comparative analysis of selected Pacific Island countries and Caribbean Island nations

With a rooted history of intra-regional migration, the contemporary patterns of mobility in the Pacific Island Countries and the Caribbean Island Nations are rather contrasting. The study first presents an overarching reasoning for the movement of the early migrants. Next, using the most recent migrant stock database and country census, the paper scrutinizes the intensity and the distribution of migrants intra-regionally. The data validates that alongside regional alliances and network, income differentials between countries within the region heavily influences intra-regional mobility. Despite numerous regional mobility arrangements, in practice there exist cross border conflicts amongst member countries which appear to create administrative bureaucracy and strategical procedural delays. The paper drives that with the help of bilateral schemes and existing coordinated pacts with metropolitan powers, the regions could tackle issues of unemployment, skill shortages in the labor markets as well as adopt mitigation and climate adaptation plans for environmentally displaced migrants.