Socio-demographic profile of socioeconomically disadvantaged internal migrants in Delhi

Macro studies reveal that internal migration is of considerable extent in India, however disaggregated studies on specific migrant groups are lacking from India. The present study is based on a scientifically drawn sample of 10,428 migrant households living in Delhi and the objective is to present socio-economic profile of the socioeconomically disadvantaged migrants living in Delhi. Migration is predominantly male in character and is dominated by younger ages. Migrants form a considerable proportion of the city’s population and are indispensable for the city’s growth. The other characteristics of migrants reveal that migrants are marginalized in the city and have denied access to basic amenities and compromise to live in such conditions in order to earn a livelihood and better incomes. Since migrants are an indispensable population in the cities, they should be recognized as a specific vulnerable group for the provision of basic services and there is a need for policy formulation ensuring rights of the migrants.