Inter-state Migration and Socio-demographic Changes in Malaysia

Abstract: Internal migration has an important role in population redistribution and development. It is instrumental in the redistribution of human resources and productivity improvements. Migration is multi-dimensional in nature, involving temporal and spatial dimensions. This paper uses the 2 per cent sample data from the 1991 and 2000 population censuses to examine the levels and patterns of inter-state and inter-regional migration, characteristics of migrants, the reasons for migration and the pull factors that drive migration. The paper concludes with a discussion of the impact of migration on sociodemographic changes and its policy relevance.