Based on 2011 and other decennial population census data, this chapter examines volumes, trends,
patterns, causes and socio-economic characteristics of migrants by ecological zone, development
region, rural/urban areas, and districts. The census data indicates that over the last 40 years or so,
the volume of internal migration has increased tremendously and it has increased more rapidly after
1991. Over the period, hill continues to be the largest area of origin of internal migrants and the net
looser of population. A large majority of the districts, mostly from mountain and hills, are net losers
and some districts from eastern and western hill lost up to 50% of its population. Tarai and Kathmandu
Valley on the other hand continue to be the largest areas of destination of internal migrants and
net gainers. It is evident that most migration to Tarai region takes place from the contiguous hill
regions. The relative share of hill migration however is declining with a corresponding increase in
the share of Tarai migration. In Nepal, rural-rural migration predominates over all other migration
streams and a large majority of migrants are longer-term migrants. In-country migration in Nepal
is age-sex selective, favouring youth and females. Male migration is mainly economic migration
whereas female migration is mainly due to marriage. On average, every year four persons per
1000 population migrate crossing regional boundaries and six persons cross district boundaries. A
comparison of lifetime and current migration data indicate that internal migration in recent years
is being more directed to the central hill region, especially the three districts of the Kathmandu
Valley. In this context, it is imperative to adopt a two-pronged approach to migration management
policies that can retain hill people in hill region and minimise the migration fow to the Tarai and
Kathmandu Valley.