A Microanalysis of Contextual Determinants of Labour Migration in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Using micro-level data, this paper analyses the determinants of internal migration in Sri Lanka through a multinomial logit model. It finds that higher probability for internal migration is correlated with rural areas; districts with a larger concentration of labour in agriculture; districts with greater ownership of assets among the population; and districts with a larger share of population in the 19 – 34 age group. Conversely, districts with larger labour forces and those with a more unequal income distribution are correlated with lower probability for internal migration. Based on these findings, shifting the balance in policy focus from receiving areas of internal migrants towards sending areas of internal migrants is recommended; as is developing rural areas with larger labour forces and greater income inequality into metro cities.