From origin to destination: examining the effects of migration on Woldia’s growth and surrounding migrant sending areas in Ethiopia

Migration affects development in both the rural and urban areas. This has been a major challenge in Ethiopia’s development in general and Woldia’s urban growth in particular. Therefore, this study examines the effects of migration on migrant sending and receiving areas of Ethiopia, by considering Woldia town and its surrounding areas as a case study. To achieve the study objectives, data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 395 respondents using questionnaire. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also employed along with the survey. Secondary data sources were also used. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis was employed. The result showed that there was socio-economic development gap between rural and urban areas. The findings also revealed that the majority of migrants were of rural origin, traveled short distances, and they were male in the age group of 25–44. To this end, migrants have faced challenges with social services and employments at destination in one hand, and decline of labour force and productivity at the origin on the other hand. Hence, in order to address the challenges, the study suggests that government interventions should be made to provide jobs, basic social services and infrastructure facilities to both rural and urban areas.