Abstract

This project, conducted by the Rural-Urban Economics Research Committee of the University within Papua New Guinea and the Papua New Guinea Research Unit of the Australian National University, seeks to investigate the nature, causes, and economic effects of population moves from villages to towns within Papua New Guinea. Within the overall objectives of investigating the nature, causes, and economic effects of rural-urban migration, the research is concentrated on the problem of unemployment. The information obtained from the studies will help planners with their developmental schemes.

Post-Project Summary

The survey was conducted in 50 rural villages throughout mainland Papua New Guinea. It sought to shed light on the pattern of migration; education and migration; motives for migration; characteristics of absence and return; and the impact of absence and return on those remaining in the village. The proportion of males now-or-ever migrant ranged from 98% to 7%, with a median of 64%. The proportion of returned to now-or-ever migrant males ranged from 90% to 4% with a median of 46.5%, giving an indication of the extent to which migration was temporary or "circular." The desire for cash was the main motive for male migration (57%), for purposes investment in education, cash crops, livestock, small business, etc. rather than consumption. Migrants had a very high probability, well over 90%, of finding a paid job before they returned. Although primary schooling increased an individual's probability of migrating, it did not mean that he was destined to spend his life away from the village sector. Primary education increased an individual's likelihood of finding a job and earning power, rather than giving him a taste for town life. It was concluded that village-to-town migration in Papua New Guinea does not provide a case for blocking migration or forcible repatriation. Nor does it provide a case against extending rural roads or primary education. There is a case for caution, however, in raising the urban minimum wage in real terms. A preferable option would be to take measures to improve rural life by, for example, removing local school fees, replacing head taxes by other fiscal measures, promoting livestock raising in areas too cold or inaccessible for cash cropping, and redistributing land more equitably. Also, fiscal measures designed to avoid instability ("boom or bust") in the growth of the modern sector should be rigorously maintained.

Recipient Institution(s)