Understanding indigenous migration: A systematic review and dynamic model

Abstract

This study examines Indigenous migration as a complex phenomenon rooted in the interplay between historical legacies, market pressures, and regulatory frameworks, rather than as a series of isolated individual choices. Following the SPAR-4-SLR protocol and reporting in accordance with PRISMA 2020, we searched the Web of Science on 10 May 2026 for articles indexed in the economics, business, management, or interdisciplinary social sciences categories and published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Conceptual and empirical articles examining Indigenous migration as an object of analysis were eligible; records that did not address Indigenous migration were excluded. Of 311 records retrieved, 69 met these criteria. The evidence was synthesised using the Antecedents–Decisions–Outcomes (ADO) framework to map migration dynamics across different regions and temporal arcs. The findings reveal a significant temporal shift: while earlier periods (pre-1900) were defined by colonial expropriation and conflict, the contemporary era is dominated by Economic and Market Pressures. Adaptive Family Migration is the most prevalent decision strategy; although it aims to secure socioeconomic well-being, it frequently results in persistent vulnerability, especially in Latin America. The evidence base has important limitations: the included studies are highly heterogeneous in design, method, and unit of analysis, which precluded quantitative synthesis; geographical coverage is uneven, with Latin America and Anglo-America accounting for most studies and Africa and Europe for very few; and the restriction to a single database and three languages may have omitted relevant evidence. Building on these findings, we propose a dynamic analytical model that offers an alternative perspective on Indigenous migration.