Household migration during a time of crisis: Patterns and outcomes in Myanmar

Myanmar Agricultural Policy Support Activity

Mar 2024 · Myanmar SSP Working Paper Book 49 · Intl Food Policy Res Inst

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This study analyzes household migration, including paths, causes, challenges, and post-migration outcomes in Myanmar between February 2021 and July 2023 using the Myanmar Household Welfare Survey and the Myanmar Migration Assessment. During this period, we find that approximately ten percent of households in Myanmar migrated as a household or family unit. While nearly 40 percent of migration was urban-to-urban, a quarter was rural-to-rural, a quarter was rural-to-urban, and ten percent was urban-to-rural.

Employment was the primary driver of household migration, with 54 percent of households citing it as their main reason for relocating. Other motivations included the desire to escape conflict and improve physical security (15 percent), to help family (12 percent), and for marriage (eight percent). In regions characterized by high conflict, such as Kayah, Chin, and Sagaing, a significant number of migrating households relocated due to conflict (70, 47, and 37 percent, respectively). Further, because of under-sampling of conflict areas, the number of migrants who moved due to conflict may be significantly higher.

Households from high conflict regions often moved more than once before reaching their current destination. Decisions on where to migrate were significantly influenced by perceptions of employment opportunities (35 percent) and safety considerations (34 percent). Finding the money to migrate was challenging for most households. Sixty-two percent of households relied on savings to finance migration, while 14 percent of households relied on assistance from relatives.

The study also analyzes post-migration outcomes. House ownership decreased significantly after migration from 65 percent to 28 percent. Instead, dwellings were either rented (34 percent) or stayed in for free (32 percent). Further, post-migration income sources changed. There was a significant increase in non-farm wage income and income from remittances and donations after the move. Almost two thirds of households reported improved safety and security conditions after the move. About half of the interviewed households felt that they had better opportunities to earn an income after moving. Nevertheless, access to furniture, clothing, and cooking materials decreased for a third of the households (35, 27, and 29 percent, respectively). Moreover, there were notable disparities between households migrating due to conflict and households who moved for other reasons, including less access to income, furniture, clothing, and cooking materials after the move for households displaced due to conflict.