Causes and Effects of Rural-Urban Migration in Ethiopia: A Case Study from Amhara Region

ABSTRACT

This article analyses the causes and effects of rural-urban migration in the Amhara Region, one of the nine national regional states of Ethiopia. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and questionnaires in the main destination towns and rural areas from which migrants predominantly originate. Rural-urban migration in Amhara is a multi-causal process. The study reveals food shortages resulting from landlessness and drought as the principal factor for rural-urban migration. Debt, information flow and exigent cultural conventions are also important factors. The income from migration enables rural households to supplement poor harvests, service debts and diversify their livelihood. Migration, however, contributes to the spread of disease, as well as socio-culturally undesirable habits producing dysfunctional families and other societal ills. Considering migration is a livelihood option for the rural poor, policy objectives should be to support returning migrants rather than manage its adversities.

KEYWORDS:

• Ethiopia
• Amhara
• migration
• rural
• urban

Acknowledgements

I am first and foremost indebted to the research participants who offered their ideas that have been applied to keep the arguments in this article grounded. I am also grateful to Kalkidan Hunachew for producing the maps and Dr Tilahun Bejitual for editing the manuscript. Lastly, I am greatly thankful to the anonymous reviewers for their critical comments, which served as a constant inspiration to refine and significantly improve the quality of this piece.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aschalew Abeje

Dr Aschalew Abeje is an assistant professor of anthropology at Bahir Dar University. He has published some important works in the area of migration. He is a member of many professional associations, including the Ethiopian Society of Sociologists, Social Workers and Anthropologists.