Socio-economic conditions of male out-migration workers in Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh: A geographical study

Abstract

Male out-migration has become a crucial socio-economic phenomenon in major parts of India, particularly in undeveloped and economically stagnant areas such as Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur district. This research investigates the socioeconomic situations of male migrant workers who leave their rural homes in Mirzapur in pursuit of employment possibilities in cities throughout the country. The study is to investigate the core reasons, demographic profile, work status, living circumstances, and broader effects of migration on families left behind. Male out-migration from Mirzapur indicates underlying structural difficulties such as agrarian distress, a lack of local job opportunities, poverty, land fragmentation, and socio-cultural barriers that impede economic mobility in the region. Mirzapur district, which is primarily rural and agrarian, has long suffered from inadequate infrastructure development, low industrialization, and minimal non-farm employment. As a result, seasonal and long-term migration has emerged as a key source of income for a sizable proportion of men. The migrants are usually young to middle-aged, have minimal educational attainment, and come from socio- economically disadvantaged backgrounds such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and minority communities. The bulk of these migrants work in the informal sector, such as construction workers, industrial laborers, rickshaw pullers, or in low-wage service sectors. Their working conditions are typically exploitative, with no job security, health benefits, or legal protection. Despite the difficult conditions, migration persists owing to the lack of suitable options in the home region. The present study tries to analyze the socio-economic status of these male out-migrant workers. The prime objective of the study is to examine the socio-economic condition and also the causes and consequences of male out-migration. The study is based on the primary sources of data. A total of 300 out-migrant workers family has been interviewed by using a well-structured questionnaire. The study confirms that although there is an improved income level, the living condition for most of the workers.