Causes and Effects of Rural-Urban Migration in Rural Areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan

The main objective of the study was to see the effect of migration on household income in rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan especially in district Peshawar. A total of 93 sampled respondents were purposively interviewed. The study indicates that about 71% of the total respondents migrated with their families during the period (2001-2010). The study revealed that war against terror, quality education, and employment were observed as major causes of rural-urban migration. Paired t-test was used to see before and after effect of migration on household income and expenditure. Moreover, after migration the monthly income and expenditure of the respondents increased. The earning members of 69.9% of the respondents increased after migration. The joint families were scattered in to nuclear family. Before migration farming were the main occupation of about 42% of the respondents while after migration most of them were engaged with private jobs and some have their own business. The education ratio of 83.9% of the respondents increased with migration. Positive changes have been observed in pre and post facilities under consideration. It is recommended that basic facilities like education, health and creation of off-farm jobs, improved training opportunities and development programs should be provided to rural peoples.