📄 Abstract
Urban migration has become a significant socio-economic phenomenon in India, particularly in the northeastern region, where individuals increasingly move to cities in search of better opportunities. This study examines the perceptions, challenges, and future aspirations of migrants who relocated to Guwahati from various northeastern states, employing a mixed-methods research design combining thematic analysis with descriptive and inferential statistics. Data were collected from 75 respondents through a structured questionnaire administered between October and December 2023. Findings reveal that economic motivations dominated migration decisions: 38.7% of respondents cited better job prospects and 33.3% sought an improved standard of living. Language and communication barriers were the most prevalent post-migration challenge (26.7%), followed by high cost of living and low income (21.3%). A Chi-square test of independence between migration reasons and challenges faced yielded X2(10, N = 75) = 8.60, p = .570, indicating that urban hardships are experienced uniformly regardless of migration motive. A second Chi-square test between migration reasons and future aspirations returned X2(6, N = 75) = 10.40, p = .109, suggesting a marginal association between initial motivation and long-term goals. Exploratory K-means clustering identified three preliminary migrant typologies: economic migrants, education-driven migrants, and resilient informal workers. Despite hardships, most respondents expressed strong aspirations toward economic stability (53.3%) and educational advancement (16.0%). The study highlights the need for inclusive urban policies that address language integration, affordable housing, skill development, and educational support for migrant populations in Northeast India.
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📚 How to Cite:
Dr. Krishnakhi Choudhury , URBAN MIGRATION IN NORTHEAST INDIA: PERCEPTIONS, CHALLENGES, AND ASPIRATIONS OF NEW SETTLERS , Volume 11 , Issue 6, June 2026, EPRA International Journal of Research & Development (IJRD) , Pages: 210 - 219 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra30466