Poverty forces people from poor countries to migrate to rich ones. That's how many people are told migration works. But the topic is much more complex.

Rising education levels, better economic chances and growing ambitions may contribute to the phenomenon. That's the "migration paradox," according to Hein de Haas, a professor of sociology in the Netherlands.

DW reporter Amien Essif sat down with de Haas to explore whether EU leaders have misunderstood the relationship between development and migration, and why migration aspirations can remain strong in countries experiencing profound economic and social change.

Video: Amien Essif DW News presenter and correspondent

First posted: November 9, 2026

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Source: dw.com