The contribution of the rural sector to the overall national output of India has been shrinking over the years, due to climate variabilities. This is leading to a decline in local production, and increasing urban predominance. In this context, CSTEP is glad to be supported by Rainmatter Foundation to conduct a deep dive into the rural systems and their role in India’s economy.
We have designed a digital survey to examine the reasons behind the declining local production and contributions of the rural economy. Please spare a few moments to complete the survey. It is available here: Microsoft Forms
Afterall, greater participation will lead to fruitful engagements. Thank you
Unveiling migration dynamics: A data-driven scenario
According to our projections of net migration data, some of India’s densely populated and predominantly agrarian states have been witnessing a consistent net migration outflow of rural residents over the years.
The heatmaps presented below reflect that in 2012, some of the major agrarian states, such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, experienced a substantial influx of rural migrants. However, the pattern was reversed in 2019, with such states witnessing an outflow of migrants, possibly owing to a lack of job prospects and growing climate change vulnerabilities.
Gujarat and Karnataka emerge as the focal points in this migratory ebb and flow. Owing to heavy industrial development in Gujarat and burgeoning employment opportunities in Karnataka, the states have been experiencing a consistent inflow of rural migrants.
A comparison of these migration trends highlights the interplay between economic dynamics and population movements. This prompts us to reflect on the evolving nature of employment landscapes and the consequential impact on regional demographics.
More on our Indian States’ level rural migration findings could be read here
