Understanding Gender-Gap in Migration Dynamics in North-East India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54741/SSJAR/6.3.2026.363Keywords:
migration, NER, PLFS, census, gender-gapAbstract
Northeast India, a frontier region, faces migration challenges and related conflicts. This study employs a logistic binary regression model to analyze gender-specific migration patterns in India's Northeastern Region (NER), using data from the 2011 Census and the 2020-21 Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). Intra-district migration greatly affects the demographic landscape of the NER. Male migrants often pursue economic opportunities, primarily through casual labour, due to the limited job options available in their local areas. In contrast, female migrants tend to have lower levels of education, underscoring the education gap between rural and urban settings and highlighting the restricted access to higher education for women. Women's migration patterns in the NER are influenced by life stages and household economic conditions, with older and married women typically migrating due to marriage trends. Non-economic factors, such as marriage, family reunification, and cultural norms, also play significant roles. In economically disadvantaged communities, female migration is often linked to marriage alliances or seasonal work. Traditionally, women migrate primarily for marriage, emphasizing the need to challenge socio-economic norms that influence gendered migration patterns.
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