Feminization of Migration in India: Development or Distress?

This study examines gender disparities in internal migration for developmental purposes, specifically employment and education, in India, using nationally representative unit-level data from the National Sample Survey (NSS) 2020–21. While women constitute a substantial share of internal migrants, their mobility remains largely marriage-driven, raising concerns about unequal access to development-enhancing migration. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression are employed to assess gender differentials across socio-demographic and regional contexts. The findings reveal a severe gender gap in purpose-wise migration: women are approximately 98% less likely than men to migrate for employment or education. Although nearly half of all women are migrants, 87% migrate due to marriage, whereas about half of male migrants move for employment. Migration for developmental purposes is markedly higher in urban areas than rural areas for both sexes, though the gender gap persists across spaces. Considerable regional variation is observed, with the highest gender inequality concentrated in states such as Bihar, Goa, Haryana, and Gujarat, while several north-eastern states exhibit relatively more gender-balanced patterns. Women from poorer households, disadvantaged social groups, and Muslim backgrounds face greater constraints on developmental migration. These findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive migration, education, and labour policies to promote inclusive development in India.