SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS OF RURAL YOUTH'S INTENTION TO MIGRATE TO URBAN AREAS: EVIDENCE FROM DISTRICT FAISALABAD, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study examined the socio-demographic determinants of rural youth's intention to migrate to urban areas in District Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected from 100 rural youth through a structured survey. Eight socio-demographic characteristics served as independent variables, and a four-item Likert scale measured intention to migrate (α = .716). Migration intention was moderate to high overall (M = 3.41, SD = 0.83, range 1–5). Chi-square and Gamma tests both showed significant associations for marital status, χ²(4) = 42.245, p < .001, Gamma = 0.830, and household income, χ²(6) = 68.644, p < .001, Gamma = -0.500. Age, gender, education, occupation, landholding, and perceived reason for migration were significant on chi-square only. Marital status was the strongest predictor: married youth reported markedly higher intention than single youth. Rural development programmes should therefore pay particular attention to married, lower-income young people.