Female Rural-to-Urban Migration in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

This chapter examines the female component of migration patterns in Peninsular Malaysia both past and present. In order to define the causes of female migration the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of a recent cohort of female rural-to-urban migrants are examined. Several studies of migration in Malaysia are reviewed as well as the implications of recent economic policies. Finally the urgent priorities for research action in this area are discussed. Urbanization proceeded slowly before 1947. The total urban population grew at 3.2%/year for the 1957-70 intercensal period. This rate of growth is not much higher than expected natural increase so that rural-urban migration played a lesser role in urban growth. This chapter limits analysis to persons aged 10 and over. Migrants have a younger age distribution than both the urban and rural female population. About 77% of the female rural-to-urban migrants above age 10 in all 3 communities were between 10 and 30 years old when they migrated. Slightly less than 1/2 the female migrants were married in 1970. There is a higher % of married female migrants than male migrants. About 22% of the female migrants aged 10 and above lack formal education; but only 6% of male migrants have no education. On average it appears that migrant women are better educated than nonmigrant women in the ruban or rural areas indicating a rural-to-urban brain drain. Chinese female migrants are the best educated and Indian migrants the least educated. 1/2 of all female rural-to-urban migrants reported their main actvity as looking after the house even though they are better educated than the average women. Only 25% of the migrant women are employed whereas 3% are unemployed and 16% are students. Job opportunities for young women in urban areas are increasing and attracting rural residents. A number of government programs implemented after 1970 may also have drawn female migrants. Research priorities are studying national trends and patterns of recent female migration in the peninsula; characteristics of female migrants their motivations for migration and their adaptation to urban life; and the effect of the governments development and labor-force policies on female migration.