Internal migration in India: integrating migration with development and urbanization policies
This policy brief examines the various socioeconomic dimensions of internal migration and reviews its inherent relationship with development, especially with regard to urbanization policies. Short-distance migrants compose a significant share of all internal migrants in India. Most are engaged in temporary and seasonal movements and hail from poor and marginalized communities. While rural-rural migration is the largest migration stream, rural-urban migrants make up an important part of urban spheres all across the country. Despite being integral to the economy, such migrants often end up on the margins of society. A broad-based policy is required to expand these migrants’ access to housing, healthcare and livelihoods.
