Subject: Indian Society

The phenomenon of labour migration has undergone significant transformations in India over the past four decades, shaped by economic liberalization, globalization, and changing social dynamics. According to the World Bank, India received a record $129.1 billion in remittances in 2024, highlighting the substantial scale of international migration.

Internal Migration Patterns

• Rural-Urban Migration:

  • Emerged as the dominant form accounting for 25.2% of total internal migration as per NSSO surveys.
  • Driven by factors like industrialization, better employment opportunities, and the rural-urban development gap.
  • Major migration corridors include Bihar to Delhi, UP to Maharashtra, and rural Bengal to Kolkata.

• Inter-State Movement:

  • 85% of migration occurs within the same state, showing strong regional mobility patterns.
  • Development of industrial clusters and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have created new migration streams.
  • The emergence of service sector hubs in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune has attracted skilled workforce.

International Migration Trends

• Destination Diversification:

  • From primarily Gulf-centric in the 1980s to now including developed nations.
  • UAE and USA each host 17% of Indian emigrants in 2024.
  • Growing popularity of Canada and Australia among skilled professionals.

• Skill Profile Changes:

  • Evolution from unskilled labor in the 1980s to high-skilled professionals today.
  • Increased demand for IT professionals, healthcare workers, and management experts.
  • Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries still attract semi-skilled workers.

Impact and Policy Response

• Economic Implications:
  • Record remittances of $129.1 billion in 2024, highest global share at 14.3%.
  • Creation of migration-dependent economies in states like Kerala and Punjab.
  • Development of specialized migration corridors supported by government policies.

The transformation of India's migration patterns reflects its evolving socio-economic landscape. The success of initiatives like Skill India and Digital India will be crucial in shaping future migration trends, while policies like the e-Migrate system and Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana provide necessary safeguards to migrants.