Rural–urban migration and skill development in South Africa: a propensity score matching analysis

Purpose This study investigated the effect of rural–urban migration on skill development in South Africa, focusing on the role of educational attainment and occupational development in shaping individuals’ skill profiles. Design/methodology/approach National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) data was used. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to obtain a matched group of rural residents and rural-to-urban migrants with similar probabilities of migrating from rural to urban areas. Linear regression analyses were performed after the PSM analysis. Findings The results of the regression analysis after PSM indicated that rural-to-urban migrants reported enhanced skills development compared to rural residents. Sensitivity analysis using different logarithms yielded similar results. Promoting access to education and vocational training in rural areas can mitigate migration and enhance local skill development. Originality/value This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by examining the impact of rural–urban migration on skills development, a topic rarely explored in existing literature. PSM provides robust insights into how migration influences human capital by focusing on education and occupational development. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2024-0745