Internal Migration and Socio-economic Change in Lao PDR Kabmanivanh Phouxay (National University of Laos) PhD. Student: Department of Social and Economic.

Internal Migration and Internal Migration and Socio-economic Change in Socio-economic Change in

Lao PDRLao PDR

Kabmanivanh Phouxay (National University of Laos)Kabmanivanh Phouxay (National University of Laos)PhD. Student:PhD. Student: Department of Social and Economic GeographyDepartment of Social and Economic Geography

Umea University, Sweden.Umea University, [email protected][email protected]

The 4th International Conference on Population Geographies

Hong Kong, 10-13 July 2007

Study 1: Study 1: Internal migration and socio-economic change in Lao PDRInternal migration and socio-economic change in Lao PDR - Population Census data 2005 from N. S. Center- Population Census data 2005 from N. S. Center- In-depth interviews and FGDs with migrants from - In-depth interviews and FGDs with migrants from

countrysidecountryside- Key informants interviews in Vientiane Capital- Key informants interviews in Vientiane Capital

Study 2:Study 2: Migration into Vientiane Capital City, Lao PDRMigration into Vientiane Capital City, Lao PDRCase of Phonpapao village, Sisattanak district, VTE CapitalCase of Phonpapao village, Sisattanak district, VTE Capital

Study 3:Study 3: Migration into Thailand and its consequences Migration into Thailand and its consequences Case study: Vientiane Capital, Khammoun, Savannakhet Case study: Vientiane Capital, Khammoun, Savannakhet

The research project is divided into three The research project is divided into three studies:studies:

IntroductionIntroduction• Population 5.6 millionPopulation 5.6 million• Urban population 17% - 27% (1995-2005)Urban population 17% - 27% (1995-2005)• Rural population 83% - 73% (1995-2005)Rural population 83% - 73% (1995-2005)

Urban migration seem to be increasing Urban migration seem to be increasing particular to big Cities and Capital City, in particular to big Cities and Capital City, in search of better life, job and education search of better life, job and education

Socio-economic gap b/w the urban and the Socio-economic gap b/w the urban and the rural areas increasesrural areas increases

Socio-economic changeSocio-economic change In 1986 the socioeconomic development policy of Laos was In 1986 the socioeconomic development policy of Laos was

shifted, Lao government encouraged from the natural shifted, Lao government encouraged from the natural based economy to market economy and promotes more based economy to market economy and promotes more foreign investment in Lao PDR. foreign investment in Lao PDR.

Since then economic development in Laos grows rapidly in Since then economic development in Laos grows rapidly in the large cities and the capital city, the foreigner business the large cities and the capital city, the foreigner business entered for investment in many sectors especially in entered for investment in many sectors especially in industrial factories, wood processing, textiles and garment industrial factories, wood processing, textiles and garment factories.factories.

These types of factories need more labor force and many These types of factories need more labor force and many young people have been migrated from countryside to the young people have been migrated from countryside to the large cities or developed areas in order to get a better job. large cities or developed areas in order to get a better job.

Growing Garment Factory in Vientiane City (1996-2005)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

years

Nu

mb

er o

f F

acto

ry

Big (>100 w orkers)

Middle (50-100 w orkers)

Small (<50 w orkers)

Source: Department of Industry and Commerce in Vientiane City (May 2006)

Finding from previous researchFinding from previous research

The differentiated regional economic growth The differentiated regional economic growth is one the is one the cause of population movement such as in China, where cause of population movement such as in China, where the population has moved from inland areas toward the the population has moved from inland areas toward the east and from rural toward urban areas and open east and from rural toward urban areas and open economic zones because of industrialization, economic zones because of industrialization, employment, and higher income (Cindy,1999). employment, and higher income (Cindy,1999).

The modernization and industrialization in urbanThe modernization and industrialization in urban areas areas are regarded as determinants of regional differentiation are regarded as determinants of regional differentiation and of the interregional interaction that triggers the and of the interregional interaction that triggers the increasing long-distance migration (Malmberg 1997)increasing long-distance migration (Malmberg 1997)

To explore how regional patterns of To explore how regional patterns of socio-economic change influence socio-economic change influence interregional migration in Laos interregional migration in Laos

The aim is also to investigate the The aim is also to investigate the interrelations between internal and interrelations between internal and international migrationinternational migration

The aim of the studyThe aim of the study

Data and MethodsData and MethodsQuantitative data:Quantitative data: Population Census 2005 (1Population Census 2005 (1stst March 2005), NSC March 2005), NSC• Used householdUsed household, , individualindividual and socio-economic data and socio-economic data

basebase Aggregated data on province and district level, Aggregated data on province and district level, Regression analysis: socio-economic factors and Regression analysis: socio-economic factors and

migration on regional province and district levelmigration on regional province and district level

Qualitative data: Qualitative data: In-depth interviews and FGDs with migrants from In-depth interviews and FGDs with migrants from

countryside in Capital &Vientiane prov. and observationcountryside in Capital &Vientiane prov. and observation Key informant interviews: MOLSW, NSC, SPC, MOICKey informant interviews: MOLSW, NSC, SPC, MOIC

Net-Migration on province level

-40000 -20000 0 20000 40000 60000 80000

Vientiane Capital

Bolikhamxay

Vientiane Province

Luangnamtha

Bokeo

Xekong

Xaysomboun Special zone

Saravane

Oudomxay

Khammouane

Attapeu

Savannakhet

Champasack

Xayabuly

Phongsaly

Xiengkhouang

Luangprabang

Houaphanh

Pro

vin

ce

s

Some finding of the research

Where do people moved in ten years? Where do people moved in ten years? (1995-2005)(1995-2005)

In Migration Rate (95-05)0.4 - 3.63.6 - 6.96.9 - 11.311.3 - 17.717.7 - 27.7

N

EW

S

In migration on districts level

0 50 100 150 Kilometers

Out Migration Rate (95-05)1.4 - 4.84.8 - 88 - 13.713.7 - 21.321.3 - 41.6

N

EW

S

Out Migration on Districts Level

0 50 100 150 Kilometers

Districts with low levels of out-migration to Capital City seem to have Districts with low levels of out-migration to Capital City seem to have high levels out-migration to other countries, especially to Thailandhigh levels out-migration to other countries, especially to Thailand

VIENGXAY

KHAMPEK

THAPHABATHPAKXANH

NGOI

VANGVIENGKASY

KHONG

BENG

THONGMIXAY

Migration rate (2005)0 - 0.10.1 - 0.20.2 - 0.30.3 - 0.50.5 - 0.9

N

EW

S

Migration into Vientiane Capital

0 50 100 150 Kilometers

THAPHABATHPAKKADING

XEBANGFAYATSAPHONE

SONGKHONE

LAKHONEPHENG

CHAMPASACK

MOONLAPAMOK

SANASOMBOON

VAPYSARAVANE

MAYPAKNGUM

XIENGHONE

SANGTHONG

PATHOOMPHONE

KHONG

Migration Rate (2005)0 - 0.10.1 - 0.20.2 - 0.40.4 - 0.90.9 - 2.8

N

EW

S

Migration to Other Countries

0 50 100 150 Kilometers

Young women migrant workers in the Garment Factories in Young women migrant workers in the Garment Factories in Vientiane Capital City ( Phonepapao Village)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:Migrants’ quotation: ““My family is poor, my parents could not support all My family is poor, my parents could not support all

children to study, so I have to drop out of school then children to study, so I have to drop out of school then come to work in Vientiane at the garment factory for come to work in Vientiane at the garment factory for helping my parents support sisters and brothers”helping my parents support sisters and brothers” ((PhayvanhPhayvanh, Phiangkhong, kham district, Xiengkhouang), Phiangkhong, kham district, Xiengkhouang)

““Working at the garment factory is a small money, I want Working at the garment factory is a small money, I want to get higher salary, and want to see abroad so I have to to get higher salary, and want to see abroad so I have to decide moving to work in Thailand”decide moving to work in Thailand”

((PhonmanyPhonmany from Xayabuly province) from Xayabuly province)

““I saw my friends who are working in Thailand got some I saw my friends who are working in Thailand got some money back home when they visited parents. Their money back home when they visited parents. Their household economy seems to be improved, they helped household economy seems to be improved, they helped their parents built a new house and bought some their parents built a new house and bought some domestic materials. I also want to have every thing as domestic materials. I also want to have every thing as my friends, so I have to follow them”my friends, so I have to follow them”

((SomsySomsy from Nateui, Savannakhet province from Nateui, Savannakhet province))

Socio-economic change influence on migrationSocio-economic change influence on migration

Influence on rural-urban migrationInfluence on rural-urban migration Education:Education: Three University were established in Laos (1996), (2000), (2003) Three University were established in Laos (1996), (2000), (2003) Transportation/communication Transportation/communication are extended to all provinces in 2000-2005…are extended to all provinces in 2000-2005… Tourist, Commerce and servicesTourist, Commerce and services: big hotels, ITEC, super markets, restaurants, : big hotels, ITEC, super markets, restaurants,

shops also increase in 1998-2004…shops also increase in 1998-2004… Industrial factories: Industrial factories: garment factories increase during period 1999-2005…garment factories increase during period 1999-2005… ManyMany people moved to the city for education and for work (people moved to the city for education and for work (Capital City, Capital City,

Vientiane pr., Louangphabang, Bolikhamxay…) Vientiane pr., Louangphabang, Bolikhamxay…)

Influence on rural – rural migrationInfluence on rural – rural migration Road construction:Road construction: Asian road from Thailand-Laos-to China (2003…). Asian road from Thailand-Laos-to China (2003…).

road No 9, No 8, No13 from the North to South (1997-2005)road No 9, No 8, No13 from the North to South (1997-2005) Electricity power projectElectricity power project: Theun Hinboun (1997), Nam leek, Xeset and others: Theun Hinboun (1997), Nam leek, Xeset and others Development program:Development program: Poverty reduction 2000-2020, Mountainous areas Poverty reduction 2000-2020, Mountainous areas

development 1993, rural development 1995…, and new resettlement program development 1993, rural development 1995…, and new resettlement program 1995-2000 1995-2000

Infrastructures development:Infrastructures development: district hospitals, health Centers, schools, water district hospitals, health Centers, schools, water taps are developed in rural areastaps are developed in rural areasThese also attracted rural migrants move to live near by the roadThese also attracted rural migrants move to live near by the road, , where have where have electricity or better living conditionelectricity or better living condition (Bolikhamxay, Oudomxay, Bokeo, (Bolikhamxay, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Louangnamtha…)Louangnamtha…)

• The overall migration and population distribution has The overall migration and population distribution has dramatically changed in the last decades this due to the dramatically changed in the last decades this due to the differentiated socio-economic changes at regional level.differentiated socio-economic changes at regional level.

• Internal migration is high in the north and central region. In Internal migration is high in the north and central region. In contrast to the southern provinces with high external contrast to the southern provinces with high external migration rate migration rate

• Destinations are mostly large cities and capital of provinces Destinations are mostly large cities and capital of provinces where is socio-economic changed and better condition where is socio-economic changed and better condition particular Capital City, Vientiane province, Xiengkhouang, particular Capital City, Vientiane province, Xiengkhouang, Loungphrabang, Oudomxay Louangnamtha, Bolikhamxay Loungphrabang, Oudomxay Louangnamtha, Bolikhamxay and Saravane provinceand Saravane province

• Original areas are mostly from the mountainous area in the Original areas are mostly from the mountainous area in the northeast and Central region (Phongsaly, Houaphanh, northeast and Central region (Phongsaly, Houaphanh, Xiengkhouang, Louangphabang and Vientiane provinceXiengkhouang, Louangphabang and Vientiane province

• Preliminary results from regression analyses show some Preliminary results from regression analyses show some relationships between some socio-economic indicators such as relationships between some socio-economic indicators such as road, school, electricity, hospital and migration-rates.road, school, electricity, hospital and migration-rates.

Conclusions