1. Internal Migration and Socio-economic Change in Lao PDR
The 4th International Conference on Population Geographies
Hong Kong, July 2007
Kabmanivanh Phouxay (National University of Laos)
PhD. Student: Department of Social and Economic Geography
Umea University, Sweden.

2. The research project is divided into three studies:
Study 1: Internal migration and socio-economic change in Lao PDR
- Population Census data 2005 from N. S. Center
- In-depth interviews and FGDs with migrants from countryside
- Key informants interviews in Vientiane Capital
Study 2: Migration into Vientiane Capital City, Lao PDR
Case of Phonpapao village, Sisattanak district, VTE Capital
Study 3: Migration into Thailand and its consequences
Case study: Vientiane Capital, Khammoun, Savannakhet

4. Introduction Urban population 17% - 27% (1995-2005)
Population 5.6 million
Urban population 17% - 27% ( )
Rural population 83% - 73% ( )
Urban migration seem to be increasing particular to big Cities and Capital City, in search of better life, job and education
Socio-economic gap b/w the urban and the rural areas increases

5. Socio-economic change
In 1986 the socioeconomic development policy of Laos was shifted, Lao government encouraged from the natural based economy to market economy and promotes more foreign investment in Lao PDR.
Since then economic development in Laos grows rapidly in the large cities and the capital city, the foreigner business entered for investment in many sectors especially in industrial factories, wood processing, textiles and garment factories.
These types of factories need more labor force and many young people have been migrated from countryside to the large cities or developed areas in order to get a better job.

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

7. Finding from previous research
The differentiated regional economic growth is one the cause of population movement such as in China, where the population has moved from inland areas toward the east and from rural toward urban areas and open economic zones because of industrialization, employment, and higher income (Cindy,1999).
The modernization and industrialization in urban areas are regarded as determinants of regional differentiation and of the interregional interaction that triggers the increasing long-distance migration (Malmberg 1997)

8. The aim of the study
To explore how regional patterns of socio-economic change influence interregional migration in Laos
The aim is also to investigate the interrelations between internal and international migration

9. Data and Methods Quantitative data:
Population Census 2005 (1st March 2005), NSC
Used household, individual and socio-economic data base
Aggregated data on province and district level,
Regression analysis: socio-economic factors and migration on regional province and district level
Qualitative data:
In-depth interviews and FGDs with migrants from countryside in Capital &Vientiane prov. and observation
Key informant interviews: MOLSW, NSC, SPC, MOIC

10. Some finding of the research

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

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

13. Young women migrant workers in the Garment Factories in 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)

14. Migrants’ quotation:
“My family is poor, my parents could not support all children to study, so I have to drop out of school then come to work in Vientiane at the garment factory for helping my parents support sisters and brothers” (Phayvanh, Phiangkhong, kham district, Xiengkhouang)
“Working at the garment factory is a small money, I want to get higher salary, and want to see abroad so I have to decide moving to work in Thailand”
(Phonmany from Xayabuly province)
“I saw my friends who are working in Thailand got some money back home when they visited parents. Their household economy seems to be improved, they helped their parents built a new house and bought some domestic materials. I also want to have every thing as my friends, so I have to follow them”
(Somsy from Nateui, Savannakhet province)

15. Socio-economic change influence on migration
Influence on rural-urban migration
Education: Three University were established in Laos (1996), (2000), (2003)
Transportation/communication are extended to all provinces in …
Tourist, Commerce and services: big hotels, ITEC, super markets, restaurants, shops also increase in …
Industrial factories: garment factories increase during period …
Many people moved to the city for education and for work (Capital City, Vientiane pr., Louangphabang, Bolikhamxay…)
Influence on rural – rural migration
Road construction: Asian road from Thailand-Laos-to China (2003…) road No 9, No 8, No13 from the North to South ( )
Electricity power project: Theun Hinboun (1997), Nam leek, Xeset and others
Development program: Poverty reduction , Mountainous areas development 1993, rural development 1995…, and new resettlement program
Infrastructures development: district hospitals, health Centers, schools, water taps are developed in rural areas
These also attracted rural migrants move to live near by the road, where have electricity or better living condition (Bolikhamxay, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Louangnamtha…)

16. Conclusions
The overall migration and population distribution has dramatically changed in the last decades this due to the differentiated socio-economic changes at regional level.
Internal migration is high in the north and central region. In contrast to the southern provinces with high external migration rate
Destinations are mostly large cities and capital of provinces where is socio-economic changed and better condition particular Capital City, Vientiane province, Xiengkhouang, Loungphrabang, Oudomxay Louangnamtha, Bolikhamxay and Saravane province
Original areas are mostly from the mountainous area in the northeast and Central region (Phongsaly, Houaphanh, Xiengkhouang, Louangphabang and Vientiane province
Preliminary results from regression analyses show some relationships between some socio-economic indicators such as road, school, electricity, hospital and migration-rates.

17. Thank you