Emigration Dynamics in Developing Countries, Vol.II: South Asia

IOM's research project on Emigration dynamics in developing countries launched in 1993, brought together teams of researchers in four regions of the developing world: South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arab Region and Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. This volume contains research from the South Asian Region focusing on labour migration which was by far the most important 'type' from the four constituent countries (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). Competition between the countries, especially for employment in the Middle East had increased. Informal networks had played, and would continue to play, a key role in encouraging migration and 'helping it become a self-perpetuating phenomenon'. The research findings emphasised important differences in the economic/demographic bases of the four countries, Sri Lanka being the furthest advanced in demographic transition. Interrelationship between economic/demographic variables and government policies on labour migration, was most noticeable in Sri Lanka where high rates of economic growth are absorbing surplus labour, and a dearth of skilled workers may well impose constraints on economic growth during the next few years.