Migration

Introduction to Migration

Definition:

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another, either within a country (internal migration) or across international borders (external migration), for economic, social, or environmental reasons.

Types of Migration:

1. Internal Migration: Movement within a country.
   • Example: Rural-to-urban migration in India.
2. International Migration: Movement across national borders.
   • Example: Indian workers migrating to Gulf countries.

Internal Migration in India

Types of Internal Migration:

1. Rural to Urban (Most common) – Driven by employment in cities.
2. Rural to Rural – Common among agricultural laborers.
3. Urban to Urban – Movement for better job opportunities.
4. Urban to Rural – Less common but includes retirees or reverse migration during crises.

Patterns of Internal Migration (Census 2011):

• Inter-State Migration: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have the highest out-migration. Maharashtra, Delhi, and Gujarat have the highest in-migration.
• Intra-State Migration: More common than inter-state migration. States like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have high intra-state movement.

Causes of Internal Migration:

Push Factors (Why people leave)

• Lack of jobs in rural areas.
• Poor living conditions.
• Natural disasters (droughts, floods).

Pull Factors (Why people move to a place)

• Better job opportunities.
• Higher wages in cities.
• Better healthcare and education.

International Migration

Trends of Indian Migration Abroad:

• Major Destinations: Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar), USA, UK, Canada.
• Types of Migrants:
  • Skilled professionals (IT workers in the USA).
  • Semi-skilled laborers (construction workers in the Middle East).
  • Students (migrating for higher education).

Impacts of International Migration:

Positive Impacts (Benefits to India)

• Remittances: India received $87 billion in remittances in 2021 (World Bank).
• Skill Development: Exposure to global technologies.
• Cultural Exchange: Strengthens international relations.

Negative Impacts (Challenges for India)

• Brain Drain: Loss of skilled professionals.
• Dependence on Remittances: Affects economic stability.
• Social Impact: Family separation issues.

Consequences of Migration in India

Economic Consequences

• Positive:
  • Remittances improve rural household incomes.
  • Migrants contribute to urban economies.
• Negative:
  • Overcrowding in cities.
  • Unemployment and underemployment in urban areas.

Demographic Consequences

• Declining rural population due to male out-migration.
• Increased urban population pressure.

Social Consequences

• Cultural diversity in cities.
• Increased crime and slum formation.

Environmental Consequences

• Pressure on land and water resources in urban areas.
• Increase in pollution due to unplanned urbanization.

Migration and Government Policies

Government Initiatives to Manage Migration

1. MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act):
   • Provides 100 days of guaranteed employment to reduce rural migration.
2. Smart Cities Mission:
   • Aims to improve urban infrastructure.
3. Skill India Mission:
   • Enhances employment opportunities for migrants.

Conclusion

• Migration is a dynamic process influenced by economic, social, and political factors.
• Internal migration is higher than international migration in India.
• Government schemes are necessary to balance rural and urban growth.

MCQs

1. Consider the following statements regarding migration:

1. Internal migration includes movement within a country, while international migration involves crossing national borders.
2. Rural-to-rural migration is more common than rural-to-urban migration in India.
3. Brain drain refers to the migration of semi-skilled laborers abroad.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: a) 1 only
Explanation: Internal migration is movement within a country, and international migration crosses national borders. Rural-to-urban migration is the most common type in India. Brain drain refers to the emigration of highly skilled professionals, not semi-skilled laborers.

2. With reference to internal migration in India, consider the following statements:

1. Inter-state migration is more common than intra-state migration.
2. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh witness the highest out-migration in India.
3. Maharashtra and Delhi receive the highest number of migrants.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Intra-state migration is more common than inter-state migration. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh witness the highest out-migration, while Maharashtra and Delhi receive the highest number of migrants.

3. Which of the following is NOT a push factor for migration?

a) Natural disasters such as droughts and floods
b) Lack of employment opportunities in rural areas
c) Higher wages in urban centers
d) Poor living conditions in villages

Answer: c) Higher wages in urban centers
Explanation: Higher wages in urban centers act as a pull factor, attracting migrants. Push factors drive people away from their place of origin, such as lack of jobs, poor living conditions, and natural disasters.

4. Consider the following statements regarding international migration:

1. Indian workers migrating to the Gulf countries are mainly in the semi-skilled labor category.
2. The USA and Canada primarily attract skilled professionals from India.
3. Remittances from international migration do not contribute significantly to India’s economy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Indian workers in the Gulf countries are mostly semi-skilled laborers, while the USA and Canada attract skilled professionals. Remittances play a crucial role in India’s economy, contributing significantly to rural household incomes.

5. What are the economic consequences of migration in India?

1. Remittances improve the financial condition of migrant families.
2. Overcrowding in urban areas leads to unemployment and underemployment.
3. Migration reduces the burden on rural infrastructure.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: d) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation: Migration improves rural household incomes through remittances, but also leads to overcrowding and employment issues in cities. It reduces pressure on rural resources as people move to urban areas.

6. Which of the following is a demographic consequence of migration?

a) Declining rural population due to male out-migration
b) Increased cultural diversity in urban areas
c) Pressure on urban land and water resources
d) Environmental pollution in industrial cities

Answer: a) Declining rural population due to male out-migration
Explanation: Demographic consequences relate to population changes, such as rural depopulation due to male out-migration. Other options relate to social, economic, and environmental consequences.

7. Consider the following statements regarding migration trends in India:

1. Rural-to-urban migration is the least common type of internal migration.
2. Maharashtra and Gujarat witness high inter-state in-migration.
3. Smart Cities Mission aims to reduce migration to urban areas by improving rural employment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: b) 2 only
Explanation: Rural-to-urban migration is the most common form of migration in India. Maharashtra and Gujarat do experience high in-migration, but Smart Cities Mission focuses on improving urban infrastructure, not directly reducing rural migration.

8. Which of the following government schemes directly aim to manage migration issues?

1. MGNREGA
2. Skill India Mission
3. Digital India Mission

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: MGNREGA provides rural employment to reduce migration, and Skill India Mission enhances employability. Digital India Mission focuses on digital infrastructure but does not directly address migration.

9. Which of the following is NOT a negative impact of international migration on India?

a) Brain drain of skilled professionals
b) Increased remittances improving the rural economy
c) Dependence on remittances for economic stability
d) Social impact due to family separation

Answer: b) Increased remittances improving the rural economy
Explanation: Increased remittances benefit India’s economy, making it a positive impact. The other options represent negative effects of international migration.

10. Which of the following is an environmental consequence of migration?

a) Overcrowding in urban areas
b) Pressure on land and water resources in cities
c) Increased literacy rate due to better education facilities
d) Economic growth in metropolitan regions

Answer: b) Pressure on land and water resources in cities
Explanation: Migration leads to overuse of urban resources, affecting land and water availability. Other options relate to social and economic consequences.