Economic and Social Dimensions of Rural-Urban Migration in Pakistan: Results from a Recent Survey in the North West Pakistan
Ikramullah, Gulab Shair, Naeem ur Rehman

Abstract
The purpose of this work, based on a survey in the North-West Pakistan, is to assess the impact of various socioeconomic factors on rural-urban migration. Using the binary probit model, our results suggest that economic factors play an important role in the household’s decision to migrate but are not the only determinants. Therefore an in-depth analysis of the socio-economic conditions prevailing at the rural and urban areas is necessary to understand the causes of rural-urban migration in Pakistan. Our empirical analyses indicate a positive and significant relationship between employment type, family members in the labor force, years of education, land holdings and migration. Moreover, a negative and significant relationship was observed between living conditions, opportunities of non-farm and farm income and rural-urban migration. Based on our empirical findings, we recommend that investment in urban infrastructure should be supplemented by investment in rural areas so as to reduce the mounting pressure on the urban infrastructure.

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