Extent of domestic migration

Shortly prior to the onset of Covid, there were an estimated 11.1 crore migrant workers in urban India (as of 2017-18). These workers are a mix of short-term seasonal (4.4 crores) and long-term/ semi-permanent (6.7 crores) workers who are also occupationally vulnerable. A little less than half of these 11.1 crore workers i.e., 5.2 crores were interstate migrant workers in 2018.

States that primarily contribute to short-duration out-migration for employment are Bihar (32%), Uttar Pradesh (19%) and West Bengal (10%), Madhya Pradesh (8%), Jharkhand (7%) and Rajasthan (6%). These states also had the highest shares in interstate outmigrants reflecting their low levels of income. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar also have more than 50% share in long-term out-migration.