Why do large cities tend to attract more migrants than smaller towns? Discuss in the light of conditions in developing countries

Introduction

• You can begin your answer by stating that in developing countries, rural-to-urban migration is pronounced due to skewed development 
• Substantiate with data- As per Periodic Labour Force Survey, rural-to-urban migration, represents 18.9% of total internal migration in India.

Body

Trends In Migration

• Global: According to UN reports, the urban population will nearly double in the next three decades, due in part to rural-urban migration.

• India: According to Migration Survey in India (2020-21)
  • Approximately 22% of all internal migrants moved for economic reasons
  • The largest economic migration flows were from U.P. to Maharashtra, U.P. to Delhi, and Bihar to West Bengal.

Reasons for large cities attracting more migrants than smaller towns

1. 1. Economic Reasons
      1. Economic Opportunities: Push and Pull factors
         1. E.g., Large cities like Mumbai (India) and Lagos (Nigeria) have diverse employment prospects+better wages than smaller towns and cities like Jamshedpur (India) or Abeokuta (Nigeria).
      2. Better Infrastructure and Services: Large Cities offer better healthcare, education, and transportation infrastructure.
         1. E.g., Migrants from Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand are drawn to Kolkata due to the availability of specialized healthcare facilities, and better education.
      3. Higher Investment and Government Focus: Large cities are prioritized for economic investment and infrastructure development.
         1. E.g., Mexico City (Mexico) receive significant budget allocations under programs like the National Urban Development Plan.
      4. Seasonal migration due to unviability of agriculture. -Monocropping in India

• Social Reasons

1. 1. Urban Networks and Social Support: Migrants tend to follow established social networks that help them find jobs and housing in large cities.
   2. Cultural and Social Mobility: Large cities like Cairo (Egypt), Mumbai (India) offer more upward mobility than smaller towns→ known for their diverse and open culture.
   3. Perception about Urban Prosperity: Large cities are often seen as symbols of modernity and economic success.
      1. E.g., Mumbai seen as the “City of Dreams”

Conclusion

• You can highlight that migration towards large and metropolitan cities is leading to lopsided urbanization and creating issues like slum proliferation, infrastructural strain, poor standard of living for migrants etc.
• Highlight the significance of RURBAN Mission, PURA, SmartCity project in ensuring balanced development.

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