Abstract
The rate of urbanization in Pakistan especially in Punjab is quite high. The reason behind this is the high population growth that is about 2.4 percent in the last decade. This causes a burden on the farm size and in rural areas people have no choice except to move in the urban areas for their livelihood. The main objective of this study was to identify the key influential factors that affect the decision to migrate. Study evaluated the impact of economic, social, demographic, natural and climatic factors on the welfare of the migrants and non-migrant’s households. For this purpose, an extensive survey from 504 respondents was carried out in four districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Due to the dichotomous nature of the dependent variable i.e. migrant and non-migrant, logistic regression was employed on the collected data using Stata. Results revealed that unemployment, educational and health facilities, family conflicts, small farm size for agricultural activities, and greater family size are the main influencing factors affecting migration decision from rural to urban areas. This creates the strong implications i.e. putting burden on the urban areas due to the high rate of urbanization. So, it is however recommended to stem down the rate of migration all necessary facilities should be provided in the rural areas and Agro-based must be set up near the rural areas providing employment opportunities for the rural dwellers.
Highlights
Pakistan is the 10th largest labor force country with an estimated population of almost 208 million (PBS, 2017)
The rate of urbanization in Pakistan especially in Punjab is quite high. The reason behind this is the high population growth that is about 2.4 percent in the last decade. This causes a burden on the farm size and in rural areas people have no choice except to move in the urban areas for their livelihood
According to 2017 census, urban population has been increased to 36.38 percent of total population and rural population has been decreased from 65.6 percent to 63.6 percent due to migration of rural people from rural areas to urban areas or urbanization (PBS, 2017; Ishfaq et al, 2017)
Summary
Pakistan is the 10th largest labor force country with an estimated population of almost 208 million (PBS, 2017). Total population of Pakistan’s economy shows positive growth that increased almost 57 percent by considering 1998 as a base year excluding Azad and Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. According to 2017 census, urban population has been increased to 36.38 percent of total population and rural population has been decreased from 65.6 percent to 63.6 percent due to migration of rural people from rural areas to urban areas or urbanization (PBS, 2017; Ishfaq et al, 2017). According to the Population Census of Pakistan 2017, the urban population depicted an increasing trend with 38.8 percent of the population living in the urban areas. The comparative position of the provinces and area showed similar trends in urban population with a slightly higher increase in the Punjab. Sindh is the most urbanized province where 52.02 percent population is living in urban areas (PBS, 2017)
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