Migration Trends in India Post Covid-19 Pandemic

Context: There has been a significant shift in India’s migration landscape five years after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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• Government estimates indicate a net reverse migration of 44.13 million individuals during the first lockdown and 26.3 million during the second lockdown.
• This movement primarily involved low-wage, low-skilled, seasonal, and short-term migrants.

Migration After Covid-19 Pandemic

Most reverse migrants have likely returned to urban areas because of the Rural economy’s limitations, such as:

• MGNREGA provided only partial and temporary relief.
• Lack of economic opportunities, rural distress, and low rural wages
• Urban aspirations continue to drive migration back to cities.
• Climate change is significantly impacting agriculture and allied activities.
  • Contributing to distress and aspirational out-migration.

International Migration Shifts: Post-pandemic, international migration patterns have shifted:

• Migration to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries remains strong.
• Indians were the top beneficiaries of the EU Blue Card programme in 2023 (work visa for highly qualified professionals).
• An increase in migration to non-traditional European destinations such as Malta and Georgia has been noted.
• Indian migrants are also moving to Africa for opportunities in sectors like IT and healthcare.

Challenges Faced by Reverse Migrants

• Wage theft.
• Acute food insecurity.
• Lack of access to healthcare and education.
• Discrimination and stigma.
• Economic strain on families reliant on remittances.

Also Read: Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic after 5 Years

Challenges in Migration Governance

Data Gaps

Delay in the 2021 Census hampers accurate assessment of migration patterns and the pandemic’s long-term impact.

• Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2020-21 recorded a migration rate of 9% (slightly higher than 28.5% in 2007-08), but the data reflects temporary disruptions rather than long-term trends.
• Lack of comprehensive data on Indian emigrants — Ministry of External Affairs’ count is likely an underestimate.

Lack of Coordination Between States and Centre

• Migration governance is fragmented between central and state governments.
• Inadequate coordination leads to inconsistent policies and implementation gaps.

Lack of Migrant Support in Non-Traditional Destinations

Increasing migration to Europe (e.g., Malta, Georgia) and Africa has not been matched by sufficient support networks for Indian migrants in these regions.

Inadequate Social Security for Migrants

• e-Shram portal (2021) aimed to provide social security to unorganised workers, but registrations have plateaued due to:
  • Lack of awareness.
  • Digital access barriers.
• One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme (2018) faces challenges in reaching a large segment of migrants, leaving many without food security.

What Needs to be Done

Strengthen Data Collection and Analysis

• Complete the 2021 Census and update migration data.
• Establish a comprehensive database of Indian emigrants under the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Expand the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) to capture migration trends more accurately.

Expand and Improve Social Security Schemes

• Increase awareness and digital access for the e-Shram portal.
• Improve portability and inclusiveness of the ONORC scheme to ensure broader coverage of migrants.

Establish Migrant Support Networks in New Destinations

• Create support infrastructure for migrants in non-traditional destinations like Eastern Europe and Africa.
• Provide legal and financial guidance for migrant workers abroad.

Enhance Rural Employment Opportunities

• Strengthen MGNREGA with higher wage rates and longer work periods.
  Promote rural industrialisation and skill development to create non-farm employment opportunities.

Integrate Climate Resilience into Migration Policy

• Develop targeted programs to address climate-induced migration.
• Provide financial and infrastructural support to climate-affected regions.

Improve Coordination Between Centre and States

• Establish a National Migration Council to ensure uniform policy implementation.
• Encourage state-specific migration surveys, similar to the Kerala Migration Survey model.

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