Long Term Migratory Dynamics and Context of a Territory: French Guiana

Abstract

France, like other former European immigration countries, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom, has recorded significant waves of foreign workers, sometimes accompanied by members of their family. In the 1950’s and 1960’s until mid-seventies, the first oil shock put a stop to active policies of recruiting foreign workers, but until today, immigration has not ceased fueled mainly by family reunification and the influx of refugees.

From this context, it is important to ask the following question: how have migratory policies evolved in France since 1901 till date? How is this development beneficial to the regional economic integration of Guyane-one of the French territories bordered by Brazil and Suriname? The primary objective of this article is to compare migratory policies from 1901 to present day and to examine their impact on the integration and economic development of Guiana as well as their causes.