MIGRATION (CENSUS 2011 DATA)

According to the Census 2011 data on migration released last week, Marriage and employment are the major reasons for migration.

Key Findings: 

• Criteria for Migrant: When a person is enumerated in Census at a different place than his/her place of birth, she/he is considered a ‘migrant’.
• Number of migrants: Over 45.58 crore Indians were found to be “migrants” during Census 2011. The previous Census (2001) had recorded the number of migrants at 31.45 crore.
• Reasons: Marriage and employment are the major reasons for migration.
• Trend: The bulk of the migration takes place within individual states — out of the total number of persons registered as “migrants” in the 2011 Census, only 11.91% (5.43 crore) had moved to one state from another, while nearly 39.57 crore had moved within their states.
• Scenario in states:
  • Maharashtra had more migrants from Madhya Pradesh than from Bihar.
  • Gujarat had almost double the number of migrants from Rajasthan than from Bihar.
  • UP, from where people travel to all over India in search of work, itself was host to 5.65 crore migrants.
  • In Assam, where illegal migrations from Bangladesh has long been an issue, Census 2011 recorded 64,117 people who said their last place of residence was in the neighbouring country.
  • Among the 4.96 lakh migrants from other Indian states in Assam, those from Bihar had the largest stare (1.47 lakh, or nearly 30%).

Important Information:

• The data come at a time when migration is a major phenomenon across the world, and “illegal Bangladeshis” is a hot-button political issue in India.
• The data are also very late  it’s almost time for Census 2021 and do not reflect the current situation.

Image Credits: https://www.unhcr.org/cy/2019/01/08/unhcrs-new-1-billion-miles-to-safety-campaign-invites-the-public-to-step-in-solidarity-with-refugees/

Source: Indian Express