Factors Determining Migration Intentions in Bangladesh: From Land to Factory

This article explores the migration intentions embedded in population movements from rural to urban areas in Bangladesh. In this country, urban-centric development policies have made cities epicentres of commerce and industrialisation, offering significant employment and livelihood opportunities. This rapid transformation has generated several socio-psychological factors that are influencing the willingness of rural populations to migrate to cities for better jobs, lifestyles and services. The present study adopted the theory of planned behaviour as a conceptual model to assess the behavioural and psychological factors underlying migration intentions. The analysis drew on an original dataset built through interviews with migrants from rural areas employed in the ready-made garment industry in four selective areas of the Metropolitan city of Chittagong. The results of the structural equation modelling indicate that migration intentions are mainly influenced by subjective norms and, to a lesser extent, attitudes towards migration and perceived behavioural control.