MIGRATION PATTERNS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS IN THE TRI-CITIES OF SINDH (HYDERABAD, KOTRI, AND JAMSHORO)

Abstract

The Sindh province in Pakistan has been urbanized and this has enhanced the migration into the major economic centres in the tri-cities of Hyderabad, Kotri and Jamshoro. This paper will discuss socio-economic forces that influence which areas will see increased migration and impact population growth in these interdependent cities. This study employed a quantitative design because a sample size of 300 migrants and residents in the tri-cities were surveyed via structured questionnaires. The two techniques employed in the analysis were chi-square tests of the relationship and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, which established predictive variables. The findings indicate that reasons to migrate (e.g. employment opportunities), origin (rural vs. urban) with 68.33% of the respondents originating in rural setting, and 58% citing employment opportunities as the primary reason have significant correlations. The outcome of the regression analysis reveals that higher and higher education level (β = 6758.67, p = 0.030) and employment-motivated migration (β= 8064.08, p = 0.002) are notable causal factors of post-migration income gains which is a proxy of the economic pull factors. These conclusions point to the economical motives that dominate the mobility development, and the gaps in policy to address the city pressures. As part of the migration theory, the work not only gives a background of the push-pull structures in a three-city setting in South Asia but also gives a recommendation on how the cities could be planned sustainability. Data is self-reported and it is restricted to cross-sectional design. Future studies should focus on longitudinal aspects of integration.