According to the International Organization for Migration, migration is the movement of people away from their usual place of residence. As per PLFS data, the total migration rate in India was around 30 %.
Factors Behind Greater Migration to Larger Cities
Push Factors
Agrarian Distress – Low productivity, land fragmentation, and climate stress push people out. Eg- Migration from drought-prone regions of Bundelkhand and Vidarbha.
Lack of Non-Farm Employment – Rural areas offer limited livelihood diversification leading to distress migration.
Underemployment and Disguised Unemployment in agriculture
Poor Social Infrastructure – Inadequate education and healthcare facilities in rural areas push youth to cities like Pune or Cape Town in South Africa
Social Constraints – Caste, gender, and kinship-based restrictions. Eg- Dalits migrating to escape rural social control.
Pull Factors
Concentration of Employment Opportunities – Eg- Construction, services, IT, gig economy in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru.
Higher Wage Potential – Urban wages significantly higher than rural wages.
Large Informal Sector Absorptive Capacity – Eg- Street vending, domestic work, delivery services.
Better Education and Skill Institutions – Presence of universities and coaching hubs.
Migrant Networks lead to chain migration to urban slums and peri-urban areas. Eg- Dharavi or Govandi areas in Mumbai, Kerala migrant network in Dubai
The perception of the city as a land of “dreams” and social freedom attracts the youth. Eg- Mumbai or New York
Smaller Towns Attract Lower Migration due to
Weak Industrial Base – Limited manufacturing and service-sector growth.
Poor Quality of higher education and tertiary healthcare
Inadequate Urban Infrastructure – Poor housing, transport, and sanitation.
Limited social mobility compared to metros.
Policy and Investment Neglect – Concentration of public and private investment in a few metropolitan regions.
Regional industrialisation, improving urban governance, and “Rurbanization”, is essential to make migration balanced, inclusive, and opportunity-driven rather than distress-led.