ASSESSEMENT OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION AND LIVELIHOOD STATUS OF MIGRANTS IN KULITO TOWN, HALABA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA.

Abstract This study was aimed in assessment of rural-urban migration and the livelihood status of migrants in Kulito Town, Halaba Zone Southern Ethiopia. To assess rural urban migration and the livelihood status of migrants in the town, the study used 216 selected samples from street vendors (coffee vendors and shoe shiners). Systematic random sampling was used to select the sample respondents from the selected sub towns. The study employed both primary and secondary data sources. In order to gather the necessary data from the sampled street vendors (coffee vendors and shoe shiners) questionnaire, interview, FGD and observation were used. In light of this, descriptive statistics was employed to analyze the data obtained through from the respondents. The finding of the study shows that the dominant migratory groups were in the age between 16-30 years who are the most economically active group. Street coffee vending is mostly female oriented informal activity and they are more migratory than male. Majority of the migrants are from poor family with large family size and their livelihood is based on subsistence agriculture. The study revealed that, absence of year round livelihood, low productivity, low agricultural inputs and landlessness in rural area are push factors of migration while existence of informal sectors, urban facilities and employment opportunity are urban pull factors of migration. The study also indicates that from various informal activities street vending is crucial armed force in fighting and reducing the extent and intensity of poverty in the livelihood status of migrants. The vendors’ livelihood statuses were improved significantly. More specifically, the income welfare and saving of those who joined street vending has increased from their prior income and saving respectively. The main factors affecting the livelihood status of migrants in the study area include lack of space, low flow of customer (limited market access) security problem and sometimes political instability. Moreover, the paper recommends that, the municipality should work on how to facilitate appropriate selling premises for the vendors; the government should achieve political stability. People in all areas should have environment to work without having any fear in mind. Moreover, the paper suggests further research area in the topic.