Inter-state Migration and Socio-demographic Changes in Malaysia

Abstract

Internal migration has an important role in population redistribution and development. It is instrumental in the redistribution of human resources and productivity improvements. Migration is multi-dimensional in nature, involving temporal and spatial dimensions. This paper uses the 2 per cent sample data from the 1991 and 2000 population censuses to examine the levels and patterns of inter-state and inter-regional migration, characteristics of migrants, the reasons for migration and the pull factors that drive migration. The paper concludes with a discussion of the impact of migration on socio-demographic changes and its policy relevance.