Internal migration and regional policy in Iraq

• Main Author: Hilmi, Waleed Abbas
• Published: University of Sheffield 1978
• Subjects: 910
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.459212

This Thesis examines the character of internal migration in Iraq. In Part I and II the agricultural conditions and population movement are analysed for the regions and subregions of the country. The analysis suggests that the major factor leading to migration is the deterioration of the agricultural sector, and that the main migration problem areas are the flow irrigated Central and Southern Regions. Policies devised to deal with the agricultural sector seem to fail due to difficulties of implementation. In the third and fourth Parts of this Thesis Case Studies of the Migrant Settlements in the Capital and of the Reverse Migration Project set up outside the Capital are examined. The objectives of this examination were primarily to gain greater understanding of the rural migration pattern to the Capital, the main recipient of rural migrants in the country, and to assess the effectiveness of the Reverse Migration Project. Both Case Studies' data uphold the characteristics of the migration pattern shown in the examination of the population movement in Part II of the Thesis and also support the suggestion that the deterioration of the agricultural sector is the main factor for rural migration in Iraq. Case Studies data further support the single stage to the Capital pattern of migration suggested in the first two Parts. of the Thesis. Analysis of the Reverse Migration Project Case Study shows that while the experiment was basically successful, as far as keeping the relocated migrants in their new rural environments, administrative and bureaucratic problems are seriously threatening the future of the project. A series of short, medium and long range measures to deal with the migration movement (as a direct option) and with the agricultural sector (as an indirect option) form the bases of the conclusions where the regional differentials for these suggested measures are emphasized.