Internal migration, as the name implies, is the long-term or permanent relocation of people within a country for work or residence. Internal migration in India is not a new phenomenon and has been ongoing for various decades. Several factors are responsible for driving people from their original homes to newer areas.
There are numerous causes of internal migration in India. They reflect regional disparities in resources, employment, and quality of life and have several consequences.
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Internal Migration in India
As stated earlier, internal migration in India has been a persistent phenomenon. The 2011 census classified over 450 million Indians as internal migrants, accounting for nearly 37% of the population at the time. This trend was maintained towards the end of the decade. Estimates state that close to 9 million Indians migrate internally every year.
The trend is mostly from rural to urban. This underscores the general pursuit of higher standards of living, which many seem to find more readily available in urban areas than in the rural peripheries. Internal migration in India, therefore, is more of a symptom derived from other factors and causes.
Causes of Internal Migration in India
Internal migration in India is brought about by a number of causes. How these causes affect the individual or, at times, family unit and section of society can result in migration. The causes of migration can be categorized as either forced migration or voluntary migration.
Employment opportunities are the most common type of internal migration in India. The increasingly competitive job market leads to people leaving their native homes to move to other places within the country. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey of 2020-21, nearly 31% of all male migrants cited job opportunities as their reason for migration.
Education has been cited as another significant reason for education. With education seen as the most obvious investment for economic and social mobility, families will move their children to areas where they can access it in good quality. Areas with good institutions, particularly for higher education, have been great incentives for internal migration. This is greatly observed within Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where a large portion of migrants aged 15 to 24 move for studies.
Another aspect of internal migration is refugees and displacement. One of the least commonly discussed forms of internal migration in India is forced migration. Not all migration is voluntary, as people might be forced to move to fulfil the basic need to live. Climate disasters and decades of conflict in politically sensitive regions such as Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Jammu, and Kashmir have all contributed to the forced displacement of people. As of the end of 2023, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center estimates over half a million Indians are internally displaced.
Consequences of Internal Migration in India
The consequences of internal migration in India are far-reaching. This is not limited to the geographic domain. As the demographic landscapes shift in accordance with the movement and displacement of people, they inevitably have significant bearings on the social and economic standings of various regions.
As people move from the rural countryside to urban areas, the population density in metropolitan areas rises. Put simply, this can lead to overpopulation and overcrowding. This can lead to a rise in housing prices, an overloading of the traffic system, and a high demand for social services. A recent example is Karnataka's Banglore, which has seen a significant rise in migrant workers.
The reverse effect is felt in the rural regions from which people emigrate. As most migrant populations fall within the wage-earning demographics, rural areas are increasingly left without enough manpower to be economically productive.
This, in turn, also affects the allocation of government funds, as much of the focus will be on where most people are. Requirements of rural areas, such as infrastructure and education, get pushed down the priority ladder.
RELATED ARTICLES:
- The Economic and Social Causes of Migration in India
- Migration Trends in India: The Role of Education, Employment, and Social Factors
Conclusion
Internal migration in India is a major thread in the country's social and economic fabric. It's a propellant for those striving for a better quality of life and accessing the amenities afforded to urban residents. However, it has the unintended consequence of tipping the demographic balance at the expense of rural regions. As the data on migration is readily available through the government and other observatory agencies, it is important that policies and incentives are put in place to effectively address the causes and consequences of migration within India.
FAQs
Which city has the highest migration in India?
While reports vary, the consensus is that Delhi and Mumbai have the highest number of internal migrants in India.
How many types of internal migration are there in India?
Migration can be classified according to different criteria. In India, the classification is generally between interregional or intraregional parameters.
What are the push and pull factors?
Push and pull factors refer to the factors that incentivize movement. "Pull" factors draw someone to a particular location, while "push" factors make them leave one.
