National Statistics Office (NSO) Migration Survey
The National Statistics Office (NSO) is set to launch a comprehensive survey to update estimates on migration patterns across India, including rural-urban and inter-state movements.
Survey Timeline and Objectives
- The survey will be conducted between July 2026 and June 2027.
- It aims to capture:
- Reasons for migration
- Return and seasonal migration
- Employment profiles of migrants
- The results will enhance understanding of labor mobility and remittance flows.
Importance for Policymakers
Information from the survey will aid policymakers, planners, researchers, and development practitioners in:
- Urban planning
- Housing
- Transportation
- Employment generation
- Social security
- Skill development
Previous Data on Migration
- Most recent data was collected through the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2020–21 and the Multiple Indicator Survey (2020–21).
- India’s overall migration rate during July 2020-June 2021 was 28.9%.
Gender Differences in Migration
The PLFS data reveals significant gender differences in migration patterns:
- Migration rate in 2020–21:
- Males: 10.7%
- Females: 47.9%
- For females, marriage was the dominant reason for migration, accounting for 86.8% of cases.
- For males, the search for employment or better employment was the main reason, at 22.8%.
These patterns underscore the gender-specific nature of migration in India, with female migration largely driven by social factors like marriage, and male migration influenced by labor market opportunities.
