Migration refers to the process of spatial mobility where individuals or groups move from one geographical unit to another, involving a change in residence from the place of origin or departure to the place of destination or arrival. This transition usually involves leaving one social setting and entering another, different one. People can migrate within a country between different states or districts or between different countries. The terms used for internal and external migration are internal migration and external migration or international migration, respectively.
When individuals move from one place to another, they move from a place of origin to a place of destination. Immigration refers to migrants who move into a new place, whereas emigration refers to migrants who move out of a place, and these terms are used only in connection with international migration. For example, migrants leaving India to settle down in the United States or Canada are immigrants to the United States or Canada and emigrants from India.
In migration and outmigration are terms used only in connection with internal migration. In migration refers to migration into a particular area or destination, while out migration refers to movements out of a particular area or origin or place of departure of the migrant. For instance, migrants who come from Bihar or Uttar Pradesh to Punjab are considered immigrants to Punjab and out-migrants for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Migration can be classified into long-range migration and short-range/seasonal migration based on time. Long-range migration is a move made for a longer period, while permanent migration is a permanent shift of population from one region to another. Seasonal migration is a temporary shift to the sites of temporary work and residence for some or several months.
Determinants of migration include factors such as employment opportunities, education, marriage, and family reasons. Migration can impact population growth, where the place of origin experiences a decrease in population while the place of destination experiences an increase in population.
| Internal Migration | External Migration | |
| Definition | Movement of people within the boundaries of a country | Movement of people across international borders |
| Motivation | Seek employment, education, better living conditions, family reasons, etc. | Seek employment, asylum, better living conditions, family reasons, etc. |
| Duration | Short-term or long-term | Usually long-term |
| Legal status | No immigration laws or restrictions | Governed by immigration laws and regulations |
| Examples | Moving from one state to another in the US | Moving from Mexico to the US |
| Impacts | Can lead to regional imbalances, strain on infrastructure, and cultural exchange within the country | Can lead to cultural exchange, brain drain, and social and economic impacts in both countries |
| Data collection | Usually collected by national statistics agencies | Usually collected by international organizations or national statistics agencies |
| Immigration | Emigration | |
| Definition | The act of entering a foreign country with the intention of settling there permanently or for a long period of time | The act of leaving one’s own country to settle permanently or for a long period of time in a foreign country |
| Direction | Movement of people into a foreign country | Movement of people out of their own country |
| Destination | Settling down in a foreign country | Settling in a foreign country |
| Perspective | Usually seen from the perspective of the receiving country | Usually seen from the perspective of the country of origin |
| Legal Status | Governed by immigration laws and regulations | Governed by emigration laws and regulations |
| Motivation | Seeking better economic opportunities, family reunification, asylum, etc. | Seeking better economic opportunities, safety, political or social stability, etc. |
| Impacts | Can contribute to cultural diversity, economic growth, and demographic changes in the receiving country | Can lead to brain drain, loss of workforce, and demographic changes in the country of origin |
| Examples | Moving to Canada from the Philippines for work | Leaving the UK to live in Spain during retirement |
| Data Collection | Usually collected by national statistics agencies in the receiving country | Usually collected by national statistics agencies in the country of origin |
Migration monitoring process in India
- There are three main sources of information on migration in a country: national census, population registers, and sample surveys.
- In India, the national census and sample surveys are the most important sources of data on internal migration.
- The Census of India collects data on migration using two different approaches:
- Place of birth, which identifies lifetime migrants who were born in a different location than where they currently live.
- Place of last residence, which identifies migrants who have recently moved to a new location from their previous place of residence.
- These approaches help to provide insights into the size and characteristics of different migrant populations in India.
Internal Migration – Reasons and Issues
Types of internal migration in India
Internal migration in India can be divided into four streams based on the origin and destination of migrants: Rural to rural (R-R), Rural to urban (R-U), Urban to urban (U-U), and Urban to rural (U-R).
- Rural to rural (R-R): This type of migration refers to the movement of people from one rural area to another rural area. The reasons for R-R migration can vary, but may include seeking better agricultural or livelihood opportunities, natural disasters or environmental factors, or social or cultural reasons. For example, farmers from drought-affected areas may move to areas with more rainfall to find work in agriculture.
- Rural to urban (R-U): This type of migration refers to the movement of people from rural areas to urban areas. R-U migration is often driven by economic factors, such as seeking better employment opportunities or higher wages. Other reasons for R-U migration may include access to better healthcare, education, and social services, or to escape poverty or social marginalization in rural areas.
- Urban to urban (U-U): This type of migration refers to the movement of people from one urban area to another urban area. U-U migration is often motivated by job opportunities, better living conditions, or access to better social and cultural amenities. For example, people may move from smaller cities to larger ones for better job prospects or from one metropolitan area to another for access to higher education or cultural institutions.
- Urban to rural (U-R): This type of migration refers to the movement of people from urban areas to rural areas. U-R migration may be driven by factors such as seeking a quieter lifestyle, retirement, or returning to one’s ancestral village. Other reasons for U-R migration may include access to cheaper land or housing, or to start a business or farm.
Understanding the different streams of internal migration in India is important for policymakers and researchers to design effective policies and programs that address the challenges and opportunities associated with these movements.
Migration Trends of India
The Census of India provides detailed data on migration trends in the country. According to the latest Census conducted in 2011, the following are some key migration trends in India:
- Internal migration: The Census data shows that internal migration is the dominant form of migration in India, with more than 450 million people having migrated within the country. Internal migration has increased significantly over the past few decades, with more people moving from rural to urban areas.
- Rural-to-urban migration: Rural-to-urban migration has increased significantly over the past few decades. According to the 2011 Census, around 31% of the total migrants in India moved from rural areas to urban areas.
- Interstate migration: Interstate migration has also increased in recent years. According to the 2011 Census, around 54% of all migrants moved to a different state within India.
- Female migration: The Census data shows that female migration has increased in recent years. Around 45% of all migrants in India are female.
- Educational level: The Census data also shows that there is a positive correlation between educational level and migration. More educated individuals are more likely to migrate within India for better employment and economic opportunities.
- Migration by age: The Census data shows that younger age groups (15-29 years) are more likely to migrate compared to older age groups.
The International Migration Stock report is published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and provides data on the number of international migrants by country of origin and destination. According to the latest report published in 2019, the following are some key findings related to India:
- India is the largest country of origin of international migrants: According to the report, India has the largest number of people living outside their country of birth (i.e. international migrants) in the world, with an estimated 17.5 million Indian migrants living abroad in 2019. This represents an increase of 143% since 1990.
- Indian migrants are concentrated in a few destination countries: The report notes that Indian migrants are highly concentrated in just a few destination countries. More than half (55%) of all Indian migrants in 2019 lived in just three countries: the United Arab Emirates (3.5 million), the United States (2.7 million), and Saudi Arabia (2.5 million).
- India is a major destination country for refugees: The report also notes that India is one of the top destination countries for refugees, with an estimated 205,000 refugees living in India in 2019. The majority of these refugees are from neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Factors Responsible for Migration
Migration is a complex and multifaceted global phenomenon that is caused by various factors. While economic factors are often cited as one of the primary drivers of migration, there are many other factors that also play a significant role. These factors can be broadly classified as “Push” and “Pull” factors.
Push factors are those that are associated with the area of origin and can force people to leave their homes and migrate to new locations. These factors can include poor economic activity, lack of job opportunities, environmental factors such as natural disasters, climate change, and ecological degradation, social factors such as discrimination and intolerance, political factors such as persecution, conflict, and instability, health factors such as disease outbreaks and epidemics, and educational factors such as limited access to quality education.
For instance, in areas with poor economic activity and limited job opportunities, people may feel compelled to migrate to areas with better economic prospects. Similarly, social discrimination, political persecution, and environmental degradation can create a hostile environment that forces people to migrate in search of safety and security.
On the other hand, pull factors are those that are associated with the area of destination and attract people to migrate. These factors can include better economic opportunities, more jobs, higher wages, improved living standards, better healthcare, and education facilities, and a more conducive social and cultural environment.
For example, people may migrate to areas with better economic prospects and higher wages, or better healthcare and education facilities, or to escape hostile social and cultural environments.
FAQs
1. What is the meaning of “migration” in Hindi?
- “Migration” in Hindi is commonly referred to as “प्रवासन” (pravasan). It refers to the movement of people or animals from one place to another, often with the intent of settling in a new location temporarily or permanently.
2. Can you provide examples of different types of migration?
- Examples of migration include labor migration (people moving for work), wildlife migration (animals moving seasonally), and human migration (people moving for various reasons such as employment, education, or seeking refuge).
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