Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the types of migration and their patterns globally and within India.
- Identify the causes leading to different forms of migration.
- Comprehend the consequences of migration on economic, social, demographic, and environmental factors.
- Analyze migration’s impact on India through detailed historical and contemporary examples.
Migration plays a pivotal role in the redistribution of populations across the world. In India, migration has occurred in waves, contributing to the nation’s demographic evolution. Historically, people moved into India from Central, West, and Southeast Asia, shaping India’s social and cultural landscape.
During the colonial period, millions of Indian laborers were sent as indentured workers to places like Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa, and the Caribbean islands. These migrations were regulated under contracts like the Girmit Act. Despite being contractual laborers, their living conditions were poor, resembling slavery.
Census data in India have captured migration patterns since 1881. Initially, it recorded migration based on place of birth, but by 1961, questions expanded to include the duration of residence. In 1971, the place of last residence was incorporated, and by 1981, reasons for migration were tracked. The 2011 Census revealed that 455.8 million (37%) of India’s population were migrants based on their place of last residence.
Migration Streams:
Note: Female migration within India, especially rural-to-rural, is mostly linked to marriage, whereas male migration is typically driven by economic factors, like job opportunities in cities.
Migration can be triggered by both push and pull factors. Push factors compel people to leave their place of origin, while pull factors attract them to new destinations.
Migration impacts the areas of origin and destination in multiple ways: economically, socially, culturally, politically, and demographically.
Migration significantly boosts the source region’s economy through remittances sent by migrants. In 2002, India received US$ 11 billion from international remittances, particularly benefiting states like Punjab, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Rural-to-urban migration contributes to city population growth. However, it also results in age and sex imbalances in the source regions due to the selective migration of young males. States like Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have witnessed significant male out-migration, affecting their demographic structure.
Migration fosters the intermixing of cultures, promoting the evolution of a composite culture. Migrants act as agents of social change, introducing new ideas related to education, technology, and family planning. However, migration can also lead to social alienation, creating a sense of dejection and pushing individuals toward anti-social activities like drug abuse and crime.
Important Note: Migrants from different regions bring diverse cultures, creating social diversity but also facing challenges like social exclusion and isolation.
The unchecked inflow of migrants to urban areas results in overcrowding, placing immense pressure on urban infrastructure. This leads to the unplanned growth of slums, scarcity of water, and an increase in air pollution. The rise in migration also intensifies issues related to waste disposal and resource depletion.
| Migration Cause | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Work/Employment | 26% | 2.3% |
| Marriage | 4% | 67% |
| Education | 14% | 12% |
| Other Reasons | 34% | 20% |
Migration, especially of women, either for education or employment, enhances their social autonomy and increases their role in the economy. On the flip side, regions face a loss of human resources, particularly the highly skilled, leading to brain drain. Poor regions lose skilled professionals, while wealthier nations gain.
Important Note: Migration results in the loss of human capital from developing regions, reinforcing the underdevelopment of those areas.
India’s migration records show a large influx of people from neighboring countries. According to the 2011 Census, over 88.9% of immigrants came from Bangladesh, followed by Nepal and Pakistan.
| Country | Migrants (Number) | % of Total Migrants |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 2,747,062 | 51.2 |
| Nepal | 810,158 | 15.1 |
| Pakistan | 918,982 | 17.1 |
| Sri Lanka | 198,193 | 3.7 |
| Myanmar | 59,282 | 1.1 |
| Afghanistan | 6,476 | 0.1 |
Important Note: Bangladesh remains the top country contributing to migration into India, followed by Nepal and Pakistan.
International migration has brought both benefits and challenges for India. While it contributes to remittances and improves the economy, the loss of highly skilled professionals from developing regions reinforces underdevelopment in source areas.
MCQ
Which of the following is the main reason for male migration in India?
Answer: Work and employment