Year: 2025 | Month: September | Volume 70 | Issue 3
Exploring the Pattern of Male Migration in Western Odisha, India
Mamata Nanda
Souvik Ghosh
DOI:10.46852/0424-2513.3.2025.8
Abstract:
While most of the short-term migration from low-income states occurs to metropolitan centres in high-income states and the important points of reference are the seasonal migrations from western and southern Odisha. This study aimed to find the pattern of migration, reasons and nature of job performed by the migrants in the destination from the Western Odisha region. The study was conducted in Kalahandi and Balangir districts and a sample size of 200 migrant was studied using simple random sampling. It followed exploratory research design. The findings of the study revealed that the mean age of the migrants was about 34 years and the Schedule Tribes (STs), and Schedule Castes (SCs) were overly represented in the migration stream. Majority (70.5%) of the migrant sending households belonged to BPL category and most of them (49.0%) reported daily wage as their primary occupation before migration. Kerala (45.0%) and Tamil Nadu (40.0%) were the most favoured destinations for Migrants in Kalahandi and Balangir district respectively. Lack of employment at home (44.0%) was the most reported reason for migration. Most of the respondents performed casual labour in industries (25.5%). Destinations like Maharashtra and Gujarat are strongly linked to high wages as a reason for migration, whereas absence of work in the migrants’ home, on the other hand, seems to be the main driver of migration to Kerala, suggesting a push-factor dominated flow.
Highlights
- Marginalized section of the society that belonged to STs and SCs caste are overly represented in the migration sector.
- Migrants from Western Odisha are moving to high income states with Kerala and Tamil Nadu being the most preferred destinations.
- Lack of employment prospect at home is the major reason for migration.
- At the destination the migrants are employed in low-skill and low paying jobs such as casual labour, construction sector etc.
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