Paper short abstract:

This paper ascertains the impact of urban inequality and whether young internal migrants are prone to poverty, livelihood/human insecurity and more likely to become victims of crime when compared to the non-migrant youth population in Ghana.

Paper long abstract:

This paper ascertains the impact of urban inequality and whether young internal migrants are prone to poverty, livelihood/human insecurity and become victims of crime when compared to the non-migrant youth population in Ghana. The paper examines whether poverty and other socio-economic indicators, mediate the association between migration, livelihood security and vulnerability to vices such as crime. We use the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) 6 (2012) and 7 (2017), with a sample size of 15,000 households. This analysis focuses on youth in four (Greater Accra, Western, Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions) of the current administrative regions in Ghana which record the highest number of internal migrants. The study defines youth as individuals between the ages of 15 and 34 years. Birth region and current region of residence are used together as a proxy for migration. This study employs econometric methodologies and mediation analysis to assess the determinants of livelihood, poverty, and crime. The paper also highlights an emerging livelihood inequality, which is influenced by the ethnic and spatial identity of young internal migrants. The study also shows that young migrants are prone to being victims of crimes. To address this spatial discrepancy, we recommend geographical targeting of poverty reduction initiatives, affordable safe housing, soft skills education and the introduction of humanitarian and employment centres in urban areas.