What do you believe is the single most important factor driving up the cost of living in Nigeria?

Despite climate-driven migration becoming more common, socioeconomic factors still play a crucial role in people's decisions to flee, according to a recent study. Research conducted at the University of Skövde, in collaboration with several international institutions, demonstrates how AI can predict future migration and support vulnerable communities due to climate change.

Millions of people are forced to leave their homes each year due to climate-related events such as droughts and floods. This is particularly true for regions heavily dependent on agriculture. However, despite the influence of the climate, socioeconomic factors often play a greater role in determining whether someone migrates.

In a study published in Operations Research Forum, researchers from the University of Skövde, among others, have used AI and machine learning to analyze large datasets and identify the most influential factors affecting migration.

AI technology reveals complex patterns

"By using AI, we have been able to analyze a wide range of factors such as age, gender, education level, social networks, infrastructure, and support measures, as well as climate data, to provide a more nuanced picture of who is likely to migrate and when," says Juhee Bae, Senior Lecturer in Informatics at the University of Skövde and one of the researchers behind the study.

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