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- A vast majority of Venezuelan newcomers have declared their aim to stay in Colombia amid the ongoing crisis in their homeland. | Photo: Migration Colombia
A new report from Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) reveals that a small fraction, 3.6%, of surveyed Venezuelan migrants intend to return home. Conversely, a substantial 80.6% plan to remain in Colombia.
The October 10th DANE report also indicates a minor portion (1.5%) aim to settle in other countries, while 14.3% remain uncertain about their future location.
The study included 8,022 individuals, encompassing both Venezuelan arrivals and returning Colombian citizens. Detailed residency plans were provided by 1,243,138 participants, with 612,278 men and 630,860 women sharing their information.
Regarding age brackets, 327,584 respondents were aged 15-24; 790,337 were aged 25-54; and 125,217 were over 55. The largest percentage of those wishing to return to Venezuela belonged to the over-55 demographic.
Factors Influencing Venezuelan Residents’ Decisions in Colombia
Of the 80.6% of surveyed Venezuelans choosing to stay, 17.1% cited ongoing economic, employment, educational, welfare, political, and security issues in Venezuela as their primary motivating factor.
Moreover, a significant 49% emphasized Colombia’s superior job market, learning opportunities, healthcare infrastructure, and overall earning potential as key reasons for their continued residency. An additional 7.5% highlighted strong family connections in Colombia as a substantial influence.
For those intending to move elsewhere, the United States emerged as the most favored destination (62.5%), followed by Spain (8.5%) and Chile (1.8%). A considerable 27.3% chose not to disclose their preferred relocation destinations.
This text describes a survey conducted by DANE (presumably the Colombian National Administrative Department of Statistics) on Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. Here’s a summary of the key findings:
Migration Patterns and Reasons:
Timing: Most Venezuelan migrants (61.3%) arrived in Colombia between 2010 and 2019.
Reasons for Migration: The vast majority (77%) cited Venezuela’s deteriorating economic, employment, social, security, and political conditions as the reason for leaving.
Immigration Status and Documentation:
Documentation: A large majority (86.5%) only possessed a Venezuelan national identity document, with a small percentage (2.2%) holding a passport.
Permits: A significant number of Venezuelan migrants lacked any Colombian immigration permit (28%). Among those with permits, 67% had a Temporary Protection Permit (PPT) and 5% a Special Permanence Permit (PEP).
Reasons for Lack of Permits: Those without permits cited bureaucratic obstacles (30%), pending applications (24.5%), or believing permits were unnecessary (21.8%).
Household Composition and Size:
Widespread Presence: Venezuelan citizens reside in a significant portion (60.9%) of Colombian homes, totaling 297,625 households. This suggests potential underreporting or gaps in official records.
* Household Size: Most Venezuelan households in Colombia consisted of one to three individuals (60.9%), while 35.7% held four or more.
Overall: The survey highlights the large-scale Venezuelan migration to Colombia, the significant number of undocumented migrants, and the challenges faced in managing and regularizing their status. The data suggests a potentially significant discrepancy between the official figures and the actual number of Venezuelan migrants residing in Colombia, evidenced by the high percentage of homes with Venezuelan residents. The reasons for migration clearly point to the profound crisis in Venezuela.