Does Rural–Urban Migration Improve Employment Quality and Household Welfare? Evidence from Pakistan

Umar Mukhtar,Muhammad Naseer,Zhangbao Zhong,Amar Razzaq,Beihai Tian,Tayyaba Hina

doi:10.3390/su10114281

Umar Mukhtar, Muhammad Naseer + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su10114281

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Abstract

Urban migration unlocks new employment opportunities for rural dwellers in a productive manner. This study assessed the quality of employment of migrant workers, and its effect on rural households’ welfare. To this end, we used primary data collected from the four major districts of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Sialkot in Punjab, Pakistan. These data include 504 immigrant and non-immigrant families in rural areas, and 252 migrant workers in urban destinations. We use IV probit and two-step sequential estimation methods for the empirical analysis. The study provides new insights for migration in Pakistan. First, migrant workers are better off in their new urban settings in terms of improved incomes and living conditions, but their social protection status is still poor. Second, the results of the employment quality models show that migration is a successful strategy for rural households to improve the quality of their employment. In addition, the characteristics of migrants and native households affect the relative improvement in the quality of employment and migrants’ conditions. Third, the results of the propensity score matching technique suggest that migration has a positive impact on rural households’ income, and these impacts are more pronounced in large cities. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the government should invest in quality education in rural areas, and ensure that social security schemes are provided for migrant workers in urban areas.

Highlights

The nexus between migration dynamics and agricultural change is a growing concern for many researchers in the recent decade [1]
We used a two-stage sequential estimation model to identify the determinants of objective EQ
This study investigates the effect of rural–urban migration for economic progress in the four districts of Punjab province

Summary

Introduction

The nexus between migration dynamics and agricultural change is a growing concern for many researchers in the recent decade [1]. Similar to other developing countries, Pakistan has experienced an exponential increase in the movement of people both within and across its borders. It has significant implications for rural areas i.e., migrants’ places of origin, and the quality of life of migrants in the places of destination. It is almost ignored or has not been analyzed in the literature. The present study attempts to examine the impact of migration on rural households’

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