Changing patterns of Internal Migration in Malawi, 1966-2008

Migration is an important component of population change in Malawi. Unfortunately, like in other African countries, reliable data on migration is difficult to collect. The aim of this study is to provide estimates of net internal migration for regions and districts in Malawi using indirect estimation procedure based on survival ratios. These methods have been under-utilised in demographic research in the country largely as a result of stringent assumptions. The results indicate that during the past four decades the pattern of internal migration in Malawi has changed. Northern Region has moved from being a net sender of people to a receiver whereas the opposite is true for Southern Region and Central Region has continued to experience net in-migration. There are migration differentials by districts and sex. The number of female migrants has increased. The above migration patterns resemble the nature of social and economic development in the province. One policy implication of the study is that efforts should continue being made to make the sending areas more attractive so as to reduce the inflow of people to the crowded and more affluent areas.