Out-Migration from Bihar: Major Reasons and Destinations

Abstract

The overall development scenario in Bihar has always put the state in a spotlight in debates on regional imbalances, economic development, poverty etc. The backwardness of this eastern state can be attributed to various factors, such as very low agricultural output coupled with a high dependence on agriculture, a hugely skewed distribution of land with landlessness being widespread among peasants, lack of industrialisation, high population growth etc. The decades-long period of economic backwardness in the state has led to there being very few employment opportunities in the limited industrial sector. The scarce economic resources have also resulted in inadequate and poor educational and public heath infrastructure, which in turn have resulted in poor health and educational outcomes in the state. This can be considered as the most prominent among the many factors contributing to heavy outmigration from the state, especially in the category of low-skilled labour.