Rural-urban migration and land and rural development policies in Ethiopia
Zemen Haddis Gebeyehu
Ethiopia is one of the least urbanized countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture remains the main economic source engaging the majority of the rural work force. Still, migration from rural areas to cities has been increasing in recent years. This paper examines the relationship between migration and the land and rural development policies of Ethiopia. The study tests the hypothesis that Ethiopiaas land and rural development policies influence the dynamics of rural-urban migration in ways unanticipated by the policies. Data were collected from rural households and communities in Damot Galie1 woreda2, migrants in four urban areas, and government officials and researchers at various levels. The majority of the interviewed migrants mentioned one or more land related reasons for leaving rural areas, including land shortage for agricultural activities and lack of other job opportunities. However, rural landholders also hesitate to migrate because they risk losing their holding by leaving rural areas. Thus, although limited rural land availability may incentivize rural-urban migration, land policy restrictions may at the same time be reducing incentives to migrate by increasing the costs of leaving rural areas. Still, the combination of improved job and income opportunities in urban areas and deteriorating living conditions in rural areas appears to favor migration.
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