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11.3 Urban-rural migration and natural increase

6 min readjuly 30, 2024

Urban-rural migration shapes population distribution, driven by economic opportunities, social factors, and environmental pressures. Cities offer higher wages and better services, attracting rural residents seeking improved lives. This migration, combined with natural population growth, fuels rapid in many developing countries.

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Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration

Understanding these dynamics is crucial for demographic analysis. Migration patterns impact both rural and urban areas, influencing economic development, social structures, and resource allocation. Policymakers must address challenges like urban infrastructure strain and rural brain drain to manage population shifts effectively.

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Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration

Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration

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Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration

Economic Factors

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  • Wage differentials between rural and urban areas incentivize migration to cities in search of higher income
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  • in urban centers, particularly in manufacturing and service sectors, attract rural workers (construction, factories)
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Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
  • Perceived potential for upward economic mobility and improved living standards drives migration decisions (better housing, access to consumer goods)
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Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
  • Lack of economic opportunities and poverty in rural areas push individuals to seek opportunities in cities (limited agricultural employment, low crop yields)
Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration

Social and Demographic Factors

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  • Access to education and healthcare in urban areas attracts migrants seeking better opportunities for themselves and their children (universities, specialized hospitals)
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  • Desire to escape traditional social structures or constraints in rural areas, such as caste systems or gender roles, motivates migration (arranged marriages, limited career options for women)
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  • is often selective, with younger, more educated, and more skilled individuals being more likely to migrate (college graduates, skilled workers)
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  • "Brain drain" occurs in rural areas as a result of selective migration, leading to a loss of human capital (doctors, teachers, engineers)
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  • Gender, marital status, and family ties influence migration propensity, with single individuals and those with fewer family obligations more likely to migrate (unmarried men, childless couples)
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Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
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Environmental Factors

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  • Natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, or earthquakes, can displace rural populations and drive migration to urban areas (2010 Haiti earthquake, 2022 Pakistan floods)
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  • Climate change impacts, including rising sea levels, desertification, and changing rainfall patterns, can make rural livelihoods unsustainable and force migration (Sahel region of Africa, low-lying coastal areas)
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Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
  • Resource depletion, such as soil degradation or water scarcity, can undermine agricultural productivity and push rural residents to seek alternative livelihoods in cities (overgrazing, groundwater depletion)
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  • Environmental pollution and health hazards in rural areas, often linked to industrial activities, can drive migration to urban areas (toxic waste dumping, air pollution from factories)
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Natural Increase in Urban Growth

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Demographic Transition and Urban Growth

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  • , the difference between births and deaths, significantly contributes to urban population growth, particularly in developing countries
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Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
  • Demographic transition theory describes the shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as countries develop, with rapid population growth during the transition
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  • In the early stages of the demographic transition, urban areas experience high rates of natural increase due to improved health conditions and lower mortality rates, while birth rates remain high (reduced infant mortality, better sanitation)
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  • As countries progress through the demographic transition, birth rates in urban areas decline, slowing the rate of natural increase and increasing the relative importance of rural-urban migration for urban growth (family planning, women's education)
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Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
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Variation in Demographic Transition and Urban Growth

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  • The timing and pace of the demographic transition vary significantly between countries and regions, leading to differences in the relative importance of natural increase and rural-urban migration in urban growth
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Top images from around the web for Determinants of Rural-Urban Migration
  • In some developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, high fertility rates and declining mortality rates continue to drive rapid urban growth through natural increase (Niger, Uganda)
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  • In other countries, such as China and Brazil, the demographic transition has progressed more rapidly, with lower fertility rates and a greater reliance on rural-urban migration for urban growth
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  • The stage of the demographic transition and the relative contributions of natural increase and migration to urban growth have implications for urban planning, infrastructure, and service provision (housing demand, healthcare needs)
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Impacts of Urban-Rural Migration

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Impacts on Origin Areas

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  • "Brain drain" occurs as the most educated and skilled individuals migrate, leading to a loss of human capital and potential negative impacts on rural development (reduced innovation, lower productivity)
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  • Remittances sent by migrants to their families in rural areas provide a significant source of income and support for rural households, potentially contributing to poverty reduction and economic development (increased consumption, investments in education and health)
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  • Out-migration can lead to labor shortages in rural areas, particularly in the agricultural sector, which may have negative impacts on food production and rural economies (reduced crop yields, aging rural population)
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  • Migration can disrupt traditional social structures and family dynamics in rural areas, with potential impacts on child-rearing, care for the elderly, and community cohesion (absent parents, changing gender roles)
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Impacts on Destination Areas

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  • Rural-urban migration can lead to increased pressure on urban infrastructure, housing, and services, potentially contributing to the growth of informal settlements and urban poverty (slums, overcrowding)
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  • Migrants can provide a source of labor for industries and services, stimulating economic growth and development in destination areas (construction boom, entrepreneurship)
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  • Increased demand for goods and services by migrants can create new market opportunities and contribute to urban economic growth (food vendors, transportation services)
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  • Social and cultural integration of migrants can be challenging, with potential for discrimination, marginalization, and the loss of traditional social networks and support systems (language barriers, ethnic enclaves)
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  • Rural-urban migration can contribute to urban sprawl and environmental challenges, such as increased air pollution, waste management issues, and pressure on natural resources (water scarcity, deforestation)
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Policies for Managing Migration Flows

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Rural Development Policies

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  • Governments can implement policies aimed at reducing the "push" factors that drive rural-urban migration by investing in rural development (infrastructure, agricultural extension services)
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  • Improving access to education and healthcare in rural areas can help to reduce the incentives for migration and promote rural resilience (school construction, mobile health clinics)
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  • Promoting sustainable agricultural practices and diversifying rural economies can create new opportunities and reduce the reliance on migration as a livelihood strategy (agroforestry, eco-tourism)
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  • Providing social safety nets and support for rural households can help to mitigate the impacts of economic shocks and reduce the need for migration (cash transfers, crop insurance)
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Urban Planning and Management Policies

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  • Investing in affordable housing, infrastructure, and services in urban areas can help to mitigate the negative impacts of rural-urban migration and improve living conditions for migrants (social housing, public transportation)
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  • Encouraging decentralization and the development of secondary cities and towns can reduce pressure on major urban centers and provide alternative destinations for rural migrants (regional development plans, tax incentives for businesses)
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  • Implementing policies to facilitate the integration of rural migrants into urban areas, such as language training, job placement services, and access to social services, can promote social cohesion and reduce marginalization (migrant resource centers, anti-discrimination laws)
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  • Strengthening urban governance and participatory planning processes can help to ensure that the needs and interests of migrants are taken into account in urban development decisions (community consultations, migrant representation in local government)
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  • Addressing environmental challenges associated with urban growth, such as improving waste management systems, promoting sustainable transportation, and protecting green spaces, can enhance the resilience and livability of cities for all residents, including migrants (recycling programs, urban parks)
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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
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