Socio-Economic Determinants of Rural Migrants in Urban Setting: A Study Conducted at City Sargodha, Pakistan

Migration is universal phenomena and people move from rural areas to urban areas, from developing countries to developed countries and from societies with stagnant economic conditions to societies with better off economic conditions to address their economic and social needs. The present study was designed to explore the socio-economic determinants of rural migrants in urban settings in Sargodha city. For the purpose of the study existing literature on the topics was thoroughly reviewed. A sample of 120 respondents was taken equally (40 from each colony) three randomly selected localities i.e. Satellite Town, Farooq Colony and Old Civil Line. Descriptive analysis demonstrates that insufficient, inappropriate educational, health, recreational facilities, poor infrastructure and stagnant and limited economic opportunities in rural areas were the prime factors which motivate the individuals and families to migrate to the urban areas. With increasing migration from rural to urban areas, the multi-dimensional problems such sanitation, environmental pollution, overcrowded housing, congested traffic, overpopulation, road accidents and crimes are increasing. Government should have provide better economic opportunities, better sanitation facilities, better health facilities better educational facilities, better infrastructure, better transportation, promotion of cottage industry, and establishment of small industry near the villages to divert the major flow of people from rural areas to urban areas. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n1p71