Transcript Pattern of Internal Migration in Lao PDR (1995

Internal Migration and
Socio-economic Change in
Lao PDR
The 4th International Conference on Population Geographies
Hong Kong, 10-13 July 2007
Kabmanivanh Phouxay (National University of Laos)
PhD. Student: Department of Social and Economic Geography
Umea University, Sweden.
[email protected]
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 and 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

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.

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.

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.
180
Number of Factory
160
Growing Garment Factory in Vientiane City
(1996-2005)
Big (>100 w orkers)
140
Middle (50-100 w orkers)
120
Small (<50 w orkers)
100
80
60
40
20
0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
years
Source: Department of Industry and Commerce in Vientiane City (May 2006)
Finding from previous research

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).

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

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:
 Population Census 2005 (1st March 2005), NSC
• Used household, individual and socio-economic data base
 Aggregated data on province and district level,
 Regression analysis: socio-economic factors and
migration on regional province and district level
Qualitative data:
 In-depth interviews and FGDs with migrants from
countryside in Capital &Vientiane prov. and observation
 Key informant interviews: MOLSW, NSC, SPC, MOIC
Some finding of the research
Net-Migration on province level
Houaphanh
Luangprabang
Xiengkhouang
Phongsaly
Xayabuly
Provinces
Champasack
Savannakhet
Attapeu
Khammouane
Oudomxay
Saravane
Xaysomboun Special zone
Xekong
Bokeo
Luangnamtha
Vientiane Province
Bolikhamxay
Vientiane Capital
-40000
-20000
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
Where do people moved in ten years?
(1995-2005)
In migration on districts level
Out Migration on Districts Level
N
N
W
W
E
E
S
S
Out Migration Rate (95-05)
1.4 - 4.8
4.8 - 8
8 - 13.7
13.7 - 21.3
21.3 - 41.6
In Migration Rate (95-05)
0.4 - 3.6
3.6 - 6.9
6.9 - 11.3
11.3 - 17.7
17.7 - 27.7
0
0
50
100
150 Kilometers
50
100
150 Kilometers
Migration to Other Countries
Migration into Vientiane Capital
N
W
E
N
S
W
E
S
NGOI
VIENGXAY
BENG
XIENGHONE
KHAM
PEK
KASY
VANGVIENG
THAPHABATH
SANGTHONG
THONGMIXAY
PAKKADING
PAKXANH
THAPHABATH
MAYPAKNGUM
XEBANGFAY
ATSAPHONE
SONGKHONE
Migration Rate (2005)
0 - 0.1
0.1 - 0.2
0.2 - 0.4
0.4 - 0.9
0.9 - 2.8
0
50
100
LAKHONEPHENG
VAPY
SARAVANE
SANASOMBOON
CHAMPASACK
PATHOOMPHONE
MOONLAPAMOK
KHONG
150 Kilometers
Migration rate (2005)
0 - 0.1
0.1 - 0.2
0.2 - 0.3
0.3 - 0.5
0.5 - 0.9
0
50
KHONG
100
150 Kilometers
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:
 “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)

“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)

“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
 Education: Three University were established in Laos (1996), (2000), (2003)
 Transportation/communication are extended to all provinces in 2000-2005…
 Tourist, Commerce and services: big hotels, ITEC, super markets, restaurants,
shops also increase in 1998-2004…
 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
 Road construction: Asian road from Thailand-Laos-to China (2003…).
road
No 9, No 8, No13 from the North to South (1997-2005)
 Electricity power project: Theun Hinboun (1997), Nam leek, Xeset and others
 Development program: Poverty reduction 2000-2020, Mountainous areas
development 1993, rural development 1995…, and new resettlement program
1995-2000
 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.