Return Migration After 30 September 2009 Earthquake in West Sumatra, Indonesia

This article analyzed return migrants associated with the West Sumatra Large-Scale Earthquake on 30 September 2009. A survey of 400 households traced the number of return migrants. Any respondent migrated due to the earthquake belongs to return migrant. This study found the return migrants accounting for almost 37% because of the disaster. Both men and women migrated because of the earthquake, but more men migrated than women. Married couple migrated more than unmarried. Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province, is the most famous destination for migration. The education level of return migrants is higher than the stayers. More than 88% are living from trade, public services, and fishing. Above 50% is living from trading alone. The return migrants shared a similar employment status with the stayers. Entrepreneurial status is more important for return migrants than for the stayers. Income distribution shows a different pattern between return migrants and the stayers. The return migrants have a more significant part of the maximum income group. The return migrants at the highest income group account for 27%, which is obviously greater than the stayers.