International Institute for Population Sciences
Deemed to be University (An Autonomous Organization of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India)

Introduction: Migration trends in Bihar are changing, causing labour shortage in several states. A few studies investigate the reasons and patterns. Bihar has a long history of labour migration, and its pace has quickened over the past few decades. A lack of non-‐farm employment opportunities in rural Bihar, coupled with increasing demand for labour in other parts of the country has substantially increased the rate of labour migration from the state. However, a large number of migrant workers from Bihar are engaged in short term, casual and precarious employment at the destinations. They live and work in unsafe and unhygienic conditions. In the villages, households of migrant workers suffer from low and irregular remittances, semi-‐feudal systems, and lack of access to social protection and basic services, as well as political exclusion. Objectives: 1. To understand the changing pattern of inter-state out-migration from Bihar during the Periods 1991, 2001 and 2011. 2. To find out the reasons for out-migration from Bihar to other states or Union Territories of India. Data sources and methodology:. For the purpose of the study, data are used from two census years, 1991 and 2001, but the 2011 census has been used for urbanization purpose. This analysis is based on data on migrants by place of last residence. The whole analysis of the study is carried out using simple tabulation and statistical techniques like rates, ratios and percentage. Results and conclusions: The population of Bihar has almost doubled from 1991 to 2011 and the land area is limited as well as job opportunities are few in numbers, thus migration has emerged as a better option for better living. It is obvious that in migration in Bihar is decreasing but out migration from Bihar to other states of India has increased from 3 percent to 7.4 percent.