Migration has become a significant demographic feature shaping Odisha’s population dynamics, labour movement, and urban growth. A comparison of data from the Census 2001 and Census 2011 highlights notable shifts in the volume, direction, and patterns of inter-state migration involving the state.
According to Census 2001, Odisha recorded a total of 16,00,076 inter-state migrants by place of last residence. Of these, 6,62,800 persons were in-migrants into the state, while 9,37,276 persons were out-migrants from Odisha to other states. This resulted in a net migration balance of minus 2,74,476 persons.
In 2011, the total inter-state migration involving Odisha stood at 21.26 lakh persons, comprising 12.71 lakh out-migrants from the state and 8.55 lakh in-migrants into the state. The state continued to experience higher out-migration than in-migration during the decade.
The Census 2001 provides a detailed breakdown of migration streams. Among in-migrants into Odisha, rural-to-rural migration accounted for 2,63,711 persons, constituting 41.99 per cent of total in-migrants. Rural-to-urban migration stood at 1,87,192 persons or 29.81 per cent. Urban-to-urban migration involved 1,32,575 persons (21.11 per cent), while urban-to-rural migration was recorded at 44,538 persons (7.09 per cent). For out-migrants from Odisha, rural-to-urban migration formed the largest stream with 3,72,663 persons, making up 41.93 per cent. Rural-to-rural migration accounted for 3,20,503 persons or 36.06 per cent. Urban-to-urban migration comprised 1,59,669 persons (17.97 per cent), and urban-to-rural migration involved 35,868 persons (4.04 per cent).
The reasons cited for migration offer important insights. In Census 2001, marriage was the leading reason overall with 5,27,720 migrants, followed by work and employment with 4,35,621 migrants. Movement with household accounted for 3,20,766 persons.
Among in-migrants into Odisha, marriage constituted 2,49,102 persons or 37.58 per cent. Movement with household accounted for 1,49,127 persons (22.5 per cent), while work and employment stood at 1,09,507 persons (16.52 per cent). Business-related migration was recorded at 43,858 persons and education-related migration at 7,066 persons.
Among out-migrants, work and employment was the largest category with 3,26,114 persons or 34.80 per cent. Marriage accounted for 2,78,618 persons (29.73 per cent) and movement with household for 1,71,639 persons (18.32 per cent). Education-related migration stood at 10,198 persons. Business-related out-migrants numbered 13,161 persons. Notably, business was the only category in which Odisha recorded positive net migration of 30,697 persons in 2001 meaning thereby that more outsiders saw business opportunity in Odisha than Odia people getting outside.
Migration flows were largely concentrated between Odisha and neighbouring as well as industrially advanced states. In Census 2001, West Bengal was the largest source of in-migrants into Odisha with 1,40,860 persons or 21.25 per cent. Jharkhand followed with 1,37,859 persons (20.80 per cent), Andhra Pradesh contributed 1,08,240 persons (16.37 per cent), and Chhattisgarh accounted for 95,521 persons (14.41 per cent).
For out-migration in 2001, Chhattisgarh received the highest number from Odisha with 1,72,372 persons or 18.39 per cent. West Bengal accounted for approximately 1.58 lakh persons (16.91 per cent), Gujarat received 1,15,316 migrants (12.30 per cent), and Andhra Pradesh accounted for 1,05,459 persons (11.25 per cent).
The distribution of out-migrants by reason showed specific patterns. Gujarat accounted for the highest proportion of employment-related migrants from Odisha at 23.34 per cent and the highest proportion of business-related out-migrants at 39.43 per cent. Delhi recorded the highest proportion of education-related migrants at 16.04 per cent. Chhattisgarh had the highest share in marriage migration and movement with household.
Census 2001 identified key urban centres attracting migrants from Odisha. Surat emerged as the largest destination with 90,135 migrants, including 75,398 males and 14,737 females. Kolkata accounted for 80,476 migrants, Mumbai recorded 50,910, Delhi had 38,456, and Raipur received 21,459 migrants.
Other notable destinations included Jamshedpur with 18,785 migrants, Durg-Bhilai Nagar with 17,977, Visakhapatnam with 10,891, Hyderabad with 8,818, and Bengaluru with 8,799 migrants.
Changes Observed in Census 2011
Census 2011 reflected a substantial increase in out-migration. Chhattisgarh accounted for more than 2.42 lakh migrants from Odisha. Andhra Pradesh recorded around 1.85 lakh migrants, and Gujarat accounted for more than 1.76 lakh migrants.
Surat continued as the leading district destination with more than 1.51 lakh migrants from Odisha. Raipur accounted for more than 69,000 migrants, while Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh recorded more than 51,000 migrants. Bengaluru had more than 51,000 Odia migrants, with Karnataka as a whole accounting for more than 64,000. Tamil Nadu recorded more than 22,000 migrants from Odisha.
The Mumbai metropolitan region, including Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, and Thane, together accounted for more than 75,000 migrants from Odisha, while Pune recorded more than 17,500 migrants.
On the in-migration side, Jharkhand contributed more than 1.67 lakh migrants residing in Odisha. West Bengal accounted for nearly 1.65 lakh, Chhattisgarh around 1.29 lakh, Andhra Pradesh more than 1.22 lakh, and Bihar around 1.19 lakh migrants.
District-wise, Sundargarh district in Odisha recorded the highest number of out-of-state residents at more than 1.57 lakh, followed by Khordha with more than 63,000.
Importantly, persons from Odisha were residing in nearly 640 districts across India in 2011, demonstrating the wide geographical spread of migration from the state.
Comparative Analysis
The comparative figures from Census 2001 and 2011 indicate a clear rise in inter-state migration involving Odisha over the decade. Out-migration increased from 9.37 lakh in 2001 to 12.71 lakh in 2011. In-migration also rose from 6.63 lakh to 8.55 lakh, though the state maintained a net out-migration position.
Migration towards industrial states and major urban centres saw notable growth. Flows to Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka increased significantly. Neighbouring states such as Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh remained major sources of in-migration into Odisha.
Rural-to-urban streams continued to be prominent in out-migration, while urban centres like Surat, Raipur, Bengaluru, and the Mumbai region attracted larger numbers of migrants from Odisha. The expansion to nearly 640 districts across the country reflects the broadening reach of migration streams.
These statistics from the two censuses provide valuable insights into the changing patterns of population movement. As Odisha continues to witness significant inter-state migration, the data underscores the state’s growing integration with the national labour market and urban economies.
Experts note that such migration contributes to both challenges and opportunities for the state. While it supports household incomes through remittances, it also influences demographic profiles and development planning. Policymakers are expected to use these census findings to formulate targeted interventions for migrant welfare, skill development, and balanced regional growth.
The decade between 2001 and 2011 thus marks an important phase in Odisha’s migration history, characterised by increased mobility and wider geographical distribution of its people across India. However, the demographers are awaiting eagerly to see the pattern and numbers in migration as the country is conducting a new census.
Dr. Bishnupada Sethi
The author is the Chairman of OFDC and Chief Administrator of KBK districts of Odisha.
