Migration is a vital livelihood strategy for rural households in developing countries like India.

Push factors include: limited resources in rural areas for decent standard of living, rigid and discriminatory social structures in villages limiting social mobility, dominance of caste system, and lack of employment opportunities for rural youth, with agriculture being the main source of income. Pull factors include: diverse economic opportunities in cities leading to financial independence, multiple occupational choices in industrial work and service sectors, quality education institutions, freedom of individualism in urban areas, possibilities for social mobility in merit-based societies, and elaborate essential public infrastructure including public transport and healthcare.

Pull factors include: diverse economic opportunities in cities providing financial independence, multiple occupational choices such as industrial work, wage labor, and service sector employment. Quality education institutions attract rural youth. The freedom of individualism enjoyed in urban areas provides social and personal liberty. There are possibilities for social mobility in merit-based societies, unlike the rigid caste hierarchies in villages. Elaborate essential public infrastructure including public transport and healthcare services make urban areas attractive.