Internal migration has become both a major policy concern and a subject of a heated public debate in Bangladesh. It has been identified as both saviour and villain of the national developmental story; a driver of economic expansion and modernization, while also the cause of severe urban deprivation and a destroyer of traditional rural life. Internal migration is viewed in a positive light, seeing it as essential to economic transformation, and crucially, to the on-going reduction of poverty. This paper explores the nature, causes and dynamics of domestic migration, and specifically the role played by three distinct factors – livelihoods and economy, the quality of public services and the presence of challenging environmental conditions. It presents key findings, conclusions and offers a series of policy recommendations.
URL : 20140114010331.pdf