Abstract:
The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of rural to urban youth migration and its
effects on the area of origin (in the Kamba zuria woreda). In order to carry out this study, both
quantitative and qualitative methods were employed. Instruments like interview and FGD were
employed. To this end, a total sample size of 247 migrants household and non- migrant’s
household were selected through systematic sampling technique for the questionnaire survey.
Thus, the data obtained from the participants were analysed through descriptive statistics and
binary logits regression. In addition, qualitative data were collected and analysed to triangulate
the quantitative data in descriptive forms. The result of this study reveals that most of the youth
migrants in Kamba zuria woreda were dominantly young of aged 15-29, single male, at the level
of primary education and they were from male headed households. The results of binary logit
model indicate that, variables in this study were significantly, affects rural to urban youth
migration. The positive effects of youth migration on the area of origin is an increase in
household income, technology and knowledge transfer, remittance inflow, creation of job
opportunity, less pressure over scarce land adoption modern agriculture technology whereas
negative effects were loss of the most productive labour, loss of the better educated youth
members, create household dependency on remittance, marital breakdown and increased income
inequality. Besides, the effects of migration on areas of origin is concerned, it is found that as a
whole youth migration is less efficient in changing the lives of the migrants’ family at origin;
rather, it creates labour burden for some migrants households. Based on the results, the
recommendations needed for integrated rural development strategy and program should
explicitly target rural youth to create viable on-farm and off-farm employment opportunities,
which are productive, decent and in line with youth aspirations
