THE FAMILY MIGRATION PROCESS IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

This is a study of the determinants of family migration in a developing country. The objectives are twofold: (1) to analyze internal migration and migration differentials between migrant and non-migrant families; and (2) to analyze the influence of individual, household, and community-level characteristics on the family migration decision. The theoretical portion of the study develops a model of the determinants of family migration, combining different disciplinary perspectives. We formulated eleven hypotheses which postulate the effects of individual, household, and community characteristics on family migration. The empirical analyses are based primarily on the retrospective data of the Malaysian Family Life Survey (carried out in 1976/77). The study found that migrant families in Peninsular Malaysia differ from non-migrant families with respect to age, education, labor force participation, occupational structure, housing conditions and ownership, and family income. Ethnicity as well as size of settlement class affect the pattern of differentials. At the macro-level, we described the intentions and influence of selected government policies on population distribution and migration patterns. Empirical results from the multivariate analysis suggest both the importance and utility of using a framework that combines different theoretical perspectives on family migration. Most of the hypotheses identified are confirmed: the family migration was selective for young and highly educated couples (especially wives) and for previous migration experience (habit and taste for migration). Migration decisions were inhibited by the presence of young children, house ownership, and whether they worked in a family business. The presence of electricity in the household and ethnicity (Chinese) also inhibited migration. At the community-level, the availability of permanent, high-wage employment opportunities (i.e., commodity export sector) and basic community needs (sanitation, water/electricity) attracted migrants to destination areas. Specific policy recommendations for planners and policy makers in Malaysia are provided: (1) It is desirable to provide potential family migrants better information about alternative destination areas; (2) policies to provide better housing and easier arrangements for future ownership may help retain the population in areas of current residence; and (3) provide employment opportunities and basic community facilities where government policy wishes to attract family migrants. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)