The paper contrasts and compares the evidence on internal migration in Asia to gain a better understanding of the links between migration, poverty reduction and development. Recent field studies across Asia show that internal migration is growing and, if managed properly, can play an important role in poverty reduction and the redistribution of the benefits of location-specific growth to underdeveloped regions. Fresh evidence from a range of sources, including official statistics, village studies by academics, NGOs and donor agencies indicates that the main new pull factors attracting people from the overpopulated and fragile rural hinterlands is the spread in urban services, manufacturing and construction. The result is a growing tide of rural-urban migrants. Even if migrant jobs are in the risky informal sector, the gains to be made can be several times higher than wages in rain-fed agriculture. Seasonal pushes have now been superseded by all-year pulls in many locations.
URL : 20140114054021.pdf