Integration and social cohesion in the migrants' neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

In developing countries, migration plays a crucial role in the development of social capital. However, the lack of social cohesion and migrant's integration into the host country exposes the locals and migrants to conflict and violence. In Pakistan, big cities are constantly facing the challenges of the inflows of migrants from neighboring countries. This article analyzes three premises relating to social cohesion and the integration of migrants. First, it explores the contextual factors (i.e., ethnic commonalities) behind migrants' large inflows. Second, it analyzes some of the driving forces of integrations, such as socioeconomic characteristics (education, employment, self‐reported health, etc.) of the population settled in Karachi's migrants' neighborhoods. Third, it examines the process of social cohesion by using data on the migrants's perceptions of the social cohesion. This study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the premises. Research findings offer a pragmatic insight into the broader spectrum of the thematic issues, which hinder the streamlining and monitoring of integration and social cohesion in migrants' neighborhoods.