Rural-Urban Migration and Informal Sector of Dhaka City: Issues and Facts

Abstract

Rural-urban migration is one of the common features of developing countries. Bangladesh is not an exception. Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh. Rapid growth of Dhaka city is the result of excessive ruralurban migration that has made the Dhaka city as one of the mega cities in the world. Many factors work to force or influence the rural poor people to migrate to urban areas or cities. Rural poverty, inadequate job opportunity, natural disaster etc. force the rural poor people to migrate to the cities, especially to Dhaka city. On the other hand, employment opportunity in informal sector of Dhaka city motivates the rural poor to come in the city. Living opportunities in Dhaka city also motivate the people to migrate to the city. This study has given attention on both the urban destination and the rural origin of the migrants. Many poor people who cannot survive in the rural areas migrate to Dhaka city and involve in the informal sector and earn their livelihood.