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Out-Migration of Muslim Youth from Rural West Bengal to Other States in India: Reasons and Role of Social Networks

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Abstract

Out-migration of people from rural areas searching for jobs is very prominent among socially backward communities such as Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and minorities in India. This paper aims to understand the regional pattern of the recent migration of Muslim youth from rural Bengal and examine the reasons for their migration and the role of social networks in developing such migration streams. A field survey that comprises a sample of 2000 migrant households was conducted in the district of Murshidabad, the second-highest Muslim majority district in India. The study found that most migrants mainly migrated to economically better-off states located far away from West Bengal instead of migrating nearby states. The out-migration is related to lack of job opportunities, low income and landlessness in rural areas, whereas the prospects of higher income and better job opportunities in the destination place encourage the Muslim youth to migrate. Furthermore, constructing their own pucca houses in the village is the prime motivating factor behind their migration. Networks within migrant groups, especially friends’ contact, are the most important factor in providing necessary information to the potential migrants, whereas contractors help the migrants find jobs at the destination.

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Funding

The research leading to these results received funding from the Indian Council of Social Science Research under Grant Agreement No F.No.:02/164/2019–2020/RP/MN.

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  1. Department of Geography, University B.T. and Evening College, Keshab Road, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, 736101, India

    Md. Selim Reja

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Reja, M.S. Out-Migration of Muslim Youth from Rural West Bengal to Other States in India: Reasons and Role of Social Networks. Ind. J. Labour Econ. 65, 1137–1154 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41027-022-00401-w

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