Prof. Irudaya Rajan on Kerala Migration Survey

Migration has become a worldwide phenomenon in the 21st century. Migratory tendencies have been inherent in the context of Kerala, and it has been shaping the economic and social situation. The economic boom within the Gulf countries gave migration a considerable boost, reaching its peak in terms of both numbers and remittance. Ironically, Kerala, of late, is witnessing a reverse migration of labour. On this note, the Department of Economics is organising a distinguished lecture titled “Big Data on Migration” on April 19, 2024. Distinguished academician and scholar, Prof. Irudya Rajan, Chairman at The International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD), Thiruvananthapuram will deliver the lecture.

Join the lecture for a resourceful session!

Abstract

The first Kerala Migration Survey started in 1998 as a part of understanding the impact of migration on individuals, households, communities, the economy, and society using a stratified multistage random sampling of 10,000 households. Over the period of the last 25 years, our sample size has increased from 10000 in 1998 to 15000 in 2008 and 20000 in 2023. The estimates produced through this survey have become an important source for the Government of Kerala for its policy-making decisions regarding migration governance, particularly return migration during the COVID-19 crisis. Interestingly, Kerala model migration surveys have been replicated in the following states of India: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Punjab, Goa, Jharkhand and Odisha.

About the Speaker

Prof. Irudya Rajan is a seasoned academician with over 30+ years of teaching experience across the country. He was conferred with a PhD in Demography from the International Institute for Population Sciences, the University of Mumbai, in 1989. His research interests include International Migration, the Economics of Ageing and Demography, and Population Ageing. An esteemed scholar, Prof. Rajan has published in various reputed international and national journals, book chapters and research projects funded by global organisations. He currently holds the position of Distinguished Visiting Professor, at the Department of Economics, SRM University-AP and Chairman at The International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD), Thiruvananthapuram. Prior to this, he held the position of Professor, at the Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram.

Since 1998, Prof. Rjan coordinated eight large-scale migration surveys in Kerala with Professor K C Zachariah. The success of the Kerala Migration Survey urged neighbouring Indian states like, Goa (2008), Punjab (2009), Tamil Nadu (2015), and Gujarat (2011) to replicate the same. He also developed the first longitudinal Ageing Survey in India (Kerala) in 2004 and repeated the same every three years. The first Kerala Ageing Survey (KAS) completed its seventh wave in 2022. The second KAS which began in 2013, completed its fourth wave in 2022.