Internal Migration and Socio-economic Change in Lao PDR

Internal Migration and Socio-economic Change in Lao PDR The 4 th International Conference on Population Geographies Hong Kong, 10 -13 July 2007 Kabmanivanh Phouxay (National University of Laos) Ph. D. Student: Department of Social and Economic Geography Umea University, Sweden. k_phouxay 59@yahoo. com

The research project is divided into three studies: Study 1: Internal migration and socio-economic change in Lao PDR - Population Census data 2005 from N. S. Center - In-depth interviews and FGDs with migrants from countryside - Key informants interviews in Vientiane Capital Study 2: Migration into Vientiane Capital City, Lao PDR Case of Phonpapao village, Sisattanak district, VTE Capital Study 3: Migration into Thailand its consequences Case study: Vientiane Capital, Khammoun, Savannakhet

Introduction • Population 5. 6 million • Urban population 17% - 27% (1995 -2005) • Rural population 83% - 73% (1995 -2005) Urban migration seem to be increasing particular to big Cities and Capital City, in search of better life, job and education Socio-economic gap b/w the urban and the rural areas increases

Socio-economic change Ø In 1986 the socioeconomic development policy of Laos was shifted, Lao government encouraged from the natural based economy to market economy and promotes more foreign investment in Lao PDR. Ø Since then economic development in Laos grows rapidly in the large cities and the capital city, the foreigner business entered for investment in many sectors especially in industrial factories, wood processing, textiles and garment factories. Ø These types of factories need more labor force and many young people have been migrated from countryside to the large cities or developed areas in order to get a better job.

Source: Department of Industry and Commerce in Vientiane City (May 2006)

Finding from previous research Ø The differentiated regional economic growth is one the cause of population movement such as in China, where the population has moved from inland areas toward the east and from rural toward urban areas and open economic zones because of industrialization, employment, and higher income (Cindy, 1999). Ø The modernization and industrialization in urban areas are regarded as determinants of regional differentiation and of the interregional interaction that triggers the increasing long-distance migration (Malmberg 1997)

The aim of the study l l To explore how regional patterns of socio-economic change influence interregional migration in Laos The aim is also to investigate the interrelations between internal and international migration

Data and Methods Quantitative data: Ø Population Census 2005 (1 st March 2005), NSC • Used household , individual and socio-economic data base Ø Aggregated data on province and district level , Ø Regression analysis: socio-economic factors and migration on regional province and district level Qualitative data: Ø In-depth interviews and FGDs with migrants from countryside in Capital &Vientiane prov. and observation Ø Key informant interviews: MOLSW, NSC, SPC, MOIC

Some finding of the research

Where do people moved in ten years? (1995 -2005)

Districts with low levels of out-migration to Capital City seem to have high levels out-migration to other countries, especially to Thailand

Young women migrant workers in the Garment Factories in Vientiane Capital City ( Phonepapao Village) 70% of Young women Migrant workers are from Houaphanh and Xiengkhouang province ( reported by Director of Lao Garment Factory in Phonpapao village)

Migrants’ quotation: Ø “My family is poor, my parents could not support all children to study, so I have to drop out of school then come to work in Vientiane at the garment factory for helping my parents support sisters and brothers” (Phayvanh, Phiangkhong, kham district, Xiengkhouang) Ø “Working at the garment factory is a small money, I want to get higher salary, and want to see abroad so I have to decide moving to work in Thailand” (Phonmany from Xayabuly province) Ø “I saw my friends who are working in Thailand got some money back home when they visited parents. Their household economy seems to be improved, they helped their parents built a new house and bought some domestic materials. I also want to have every thing as my friends, so I have to follow them” (Somsy from Nateui, Savannakhet province)

Socio-economic change influence on migration Influence on rural-urban migration Ø Education: Three University were established in Laos (1996), (2000), (2003) Ø Transportation/communication are extended to all provinces in 2000 -2005… Ø Tourist, Commerce and services: big hotels, ITEC, super markets, restaurants, shops also increase in 1998 -2004… Ø Industrial factories: garment factories increase during period 1999 -2005… Many people moved to the city for education and for work (Capital City, Vientiane pr. , Louangphabang, Bolikhamxay…) Influence on rural – rural migration Ø Road construction: Asian road from Thailand-Laos-to China (2003…). road No 9, No 8, No 13 from the North to South (1997 -2005) Ø Electricity power project: Theun Hinboun (1997), Nam leek, Xeset and others Ø Development program: Poverty reduction 2000 -2020, Mountainous areas development 1993, rural development 1995…, and new resettlement program 1995 -2000 Ø Infrastructures development: district hospitals, health Centers, schools, water taps are developed in rural areas These also attracted rural migrants move to live near by the road, where have electricity or better living condition (Bolikhamxay, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Louangnamtha…)

Conclusions • • • The overall migration and population distribution has dramatically changed in the last decades this due to the differentiated socio-economic changes at regional level. Internal migration is high in the north and central region. In contrast to the southern provinces with high external migration rate Destinations are mostly large cities and capital of provinces where is socio-economic changed and better condition particular Capital City, Vientiane province, Xiengkhouang, Loungphrabang, Oudomxay Louangnamtha, Bolikhamxay and Saravane province Original areas are mostly from the mountainous area in the northeast and Central region (Phongsaly, Houaphanh, Xiengkhouang, Louangphabang and Vientiane province Preliminary results from regression analyses show some relationships between some socio-economic indicators such as road, school, electricity, hospital and migration-rates.