Rural- urban migration

This is the most common type of population migration and is most marked among young people, mainly school leavers between the ages 15 and 25.  The factors influencing the decisions to migrate can be summarised as “pull” and “push” factors.  The “pull” factors are those which attract young people into the urban centres.  These factors include:
•    Better infrastructure and social services like health facilities, education etc.
•    Employment opportunities
•    Security- towns/ cities are relatively  peaceful
•    Commercial functions and industrial functions
•    Family ties etc.
The “push” factors are those which push young people away from rural areas for example;
•    Problems of land shortage due to the land fragmentation
•    Low productivity of the land due to over utilisation and poor methods of farming /shortage of food.
•    Land disputes and killings over land related aspects.
•    Limited employment opportunities
•    Family ties
•    Government policy(settlement schemes)
•    Natural hazards  for example landslides, floods on fertile land
•    Criminals running away from punishments for example defilers and rapists.
•    Insecurity / political instability.
•    Running away from cultural obligations etc.
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