The aim of the present study is to develop a theoretical framework explaining the links between corruption and migration, including various forms of migration such as forced and voluntary migration as well as forced displacement. This framework is suitable to be applied to different country contexts. It identifies how corruption impacts human security and thereby directly or indirectly leads to migration and displacement, develops research hypotheses and gives recommendations for addressing corruption as a cause of migration and displacement. Both migration and corruption are multi-faceted complex phenomena, which need to be examined in more detail before exploring the relationship between corruption, migration and forced displacement. This study uses a broad understanding of corruption explicitly including discussions about nepotism, patronage networks and political corruption rather than focusing solely on bureaucratic corruption. It focuses on the ways in which these different types of corruption threaten aspects of human security and thereby indirectly lead to migration.