Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Migratory patterns in small towns: the cases of Mazabuka and Kalomo in Zambia

2010; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 22; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1177/0956247810362846

1746-0301

Wilma S. Nchito,

Local Economic Development and Planning

There is a view that over the years, larger cities in Zambia have been experiencing a steady flow of out migration, and that the destinations of these out migrants are the smaller centres. However, although this could be true, it is unlikely that all small towns are attractive to migrants. This paper considers the employment opportunities in two towns in southern Zambia, and examines the conditions that may encourage migratory flows of labour between larger cities and surrounding rural areas and small towns. Small and intermediate centres offer different opportunities to migrants, and the level of services provided varies, thus encouraging or discouraging migrants to move. The paper also outlines the economic conditions in the two case study towns in order to explain what motivates migrants from either rural or urban areas to move, and looks at the different types of migrants found in these small centres.