Comparative review of migration integration policies through the cases of Morocco, Turkey, Mexico and South Africa
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This study investigates the interplay between hybrid migration systems, urban governance architectures, and social-spatial inclusion outcomes across four key countries: Morocco, Turkey, Mexico, and South Africa. Situated at the crossroads of transit and destination dynamics, these countries exemplify the growing complexity of migration governance in the Global South. Drawing on open-source and academic data from Scopus, Web of Science, and JSTOR, alongside institutional reports from UN-Habitat, IOM, and OECD, the research constructs a Composite Migration Governance Index (CMGI) comprising twenty-four indicators grouped into three analytical dimensions: (1) hybrid nature of transit and destination contexts, (2) urban governance of migration, and (3) social and spatial inclusion policies. Using a mixed-methods approach that integrates bibliometric mapping, quantitative benchmarking, and qualitative interpretation, the study evaluates how governance structures facilitate or hinder migrant inclusion in urban spaces. The findings reveal distinct but overlapping patterns: Turkey and Mexico exhibit stronger institutional coordination and policy coherence, while Morocco and South Africa encounter persistent constraints in implementation and urban integration. By linking statistical indices with governance narratives, the analysis underscores how national migration frameworks and local urban policies interact to shape inclusion outcomes. The results advance theoretical and policy debates on migration governance by demonstrating the importance of localized capacity, inter-institutional collaboration, and socially inclusive urban strategies for managing complex mobility systems in transitional contexts.
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