Domestic Migration in India

Domestic migration refers to the movement of people within a country’s boundaries for various socio-economic, environmental, or political reasons. Internal migration is a significant phenomenon in India due to the country’s vast geographic, cultural, and economic diversity. Read here to learn more.

A working paper titled’ 400 Million Dreams’ by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) highlights the changing patterns of migration in India since the 2011 Census.

A report by the Prime Minister’s economic advisory panel EAC-PM estimated that the number of domestic migrants lowered by around 12% to 40.20 crore between 2011 and 2023, indicating increased economic opportunities across the country.

Internal Migration/Domestic Migration in India

Internal migration refers to the movement of people within the country, often motivated by socio-economic or environmental factors.

Push Factors

• Lack of employment opportunities
• Natural disasters
• Limited access to quality education and healthcare

Pull Factors

• Better economic opportunities
• A higher standard of living
• Peace and stability

Types of Domestic Migration

• Rural to Urban Migration
  • Drivers: Economic opportunities, better living standards, access to education and healthcare.
  • Examples: Migration from villages in Uttar Pradesh or Bihar to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
• Urban to Urban Migration
  • Drivers: Job transfers, business opportunities, or better quality of life.
  • Examples: Movement between metropolitan cities like Mumbai to Pune or Delhi to Gurugram.
• Rural to Rural Migration
  • Drivers: Agricultural work, marriage, or seasonal employment.
  • Examples: Seasonal labour migration in states like Punjab for farm work.
• Urban to Rural Migration
  • Drivers: Retirement, reverse migration due to job loss, or lifestyle preferences.
  • Examples: Professionals returning to rural areas after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Insights from ‘400 Million Dreams’ Report

• Decline in Domestic Migration
  • Migrant numbers reduced by 12%, from 57 crore (2011 Census) to 40.20 crore (2023).
  • The migration rate dropped from ~38% to ~29% (2023).
• Migration Dynamics
  • Short-distance migration dominates, with proximity favouring labour mobility.
  • Migration often originates from regions surrounding major urban centres like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Kolkata.
• Major Migration Routes
  • Key inter-state routes include:
    1. UP → Delhi
    2. Gujarat → Maharashtra
    3. Telangana → Andhra Pradesh
    4. Bihar → Delhi
  • Shifts in Migrant Share
    • Increased Share: West Bengal, Rajasthan, Karnataka.
    • Decreased Share: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh.

Reasons for Decline in Migrant Numbers

Economic Shifts

• Stagnation in Urban Employment Opportunities: Urban centres are no longer experiencing rapid industrial growth as before. Job creation in cities, particularly in manufacturing and construction, has slowed, reducing the pull factor for migrants.
• Rural Employment Initiatives: Programs like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) provide local employment opportunities, reducing the need to migrate for work.
• Rise of the Gig Economy: Technology has enabled remote work and local gig opportunities, decreasing the necessity for physical relocation.

Urban Challenges

• Increased Cost of Living in Cities: High housing costs, transportation expenses, and overall living costs in urban areas deter migration.
• Declining Urban Infrastructure: Congestion, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure in cities make them less attractive destinations for migrants.

Policy and Administrative Factors

• State-Centric Development Policies: Many states have begun focusing on regional economic growth, creating opportunities closer to home.
• Focus on Localized Industrialization: Policies promoting rural and semi-urban industrial hubs reduce the necessity of inter-state migration.
• Stringent Labor Laws and Local Hiring Policies: Some states enforce reservations or preferences for local workers, limiting opportunities for migrants.

Social and Cultural Barriers

• Community Ties: With improved rural infrastructure, people may prefer to remain in their communities rather than face social alienation in cities.
• Discrimination and Xenophobia: Migrants often face discrimination and hostility in host states, discouraging others from relocating.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

• Improved Rural Connectivity: Development in rural areas, including better roads, internet access, and amenities, reduces the push factors for migration.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Reverse Migration During Lockdowns: The mass exodus of migrant workers during the pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in urban livelihoods. Many returned to their hometowns and have been hesitant to migrate again.
• Shift to Localized Opportunities: Post-pandemic recovery efforts focused on creating jobs within local economies.

Structural Shifts in the Economy

• Agricultural Resilience: With better irrigation, technology, and subsidies, agriculture is becoming a more viable livelihood in some regions.
• The decline in Construction Sector: The slowdown in infrastructure projects and real estate has reduced demand for migrant labour.

Data and Survey Challenges

• Underreporting of Migration: Some decline might reflect a better capture of local employment rather than an actual reduction in migration.

Implications of Declining Migration

• Positive: Economic development at the local level, and reduced urban congestion.
• Challenges: Potential skill gaps in urban labour markets and slower industrial growth in some areas.

Circular migration

Circular migration is a specific form of migration that involves a continuous movement between a place of origin and a destination, typically driven by employment opportunities.

It differs from other forms of migration in several key aspects:

• Repetitive Nature: Unlike permanent migration (one-time relocation) or temporary migration (limited period stay), circular migration involves regular back-and-forth movements between two locations.
• Seasonal or Periodic Work: Migrants typically move based on seasonal availability of work.
  • Example: Agricultural workers moving during harvest seasons or construction labourers following building cycles.
• Economic Motivation: Predominantly motivated by the need for livelihood and income generation, especially among low-income groups.
• Strong Ties to Home Region: Migrants maintain their residential, cultural, and social ties to their place of origin, as the migration is not intended to be permanent.

Difference Between Circular Migration and Other Forms of Migration

Government Steps for Migrant Welfare

• Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979: Regulates employment and safeguards against exploitation.
• Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY: Provides health insurance of ₹5 lakh for migrant workers and their families.
• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): Aims to provide skill training to rural youth.
• One Nation, One Ration Card Scheme: Ensures ration card portability for access to subsidized food grains across states.
• Housing and Employment Initiatives: Affordable housing schemes and rural employment programs like MGNREGS to mitigate migration pressures.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): Provides housing for urban poor, including migrant workers.

Conclusion

Domestic migration is a complex but crucial aspect of India’s socio-economic landscape. Proper policies and interventions can turn migration into a driver of national growth and inclusive development.

India’s migration patterns reflect a combination of socio-economic evolution and policy interventions. Balancing opportunities across regions remains critical for equitable development.

Efficient policies and continued investment in rural development are essential to balance economic growth and equitable distribution of opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Which migration is highest in India?

Ans: Over 5.7 per cent of migrants moved for job-related purposes from the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to Maharashtra, the highest among other inter-state migration patterns between 2020 and 2021.

Q. What are the disadvantages of migration?

Ans: Overcrowding of people due to rural-urban migration has put pressure on the existing social and physical infrastructure in the urban areas. Due to the over-exploitation of natural resources, cities are facing the acute problem of depletion of groundwater, air pollution, disposal of sewage and management of solid wastes.

Related articles:

• Brain Drain: The great Indian migration
• International Migration Outlook
• Illegal migration across the world
• Refugee crisis in India

-Article by Swathi Satish