The relationship between female migration and economic activity in the Philippines
Creators: name: Go, Elizabeth Metro
Publisher: name: The Australian National University
Year: 1992
Subjects: subject: Migration, Internal Economic aspects Philippines
subject: Women Philippines
subject: Philippines Economic conditions

description: Utilising the 1980 Census of the Philippines and the 1983 National Demographic Survey data, differences in the economic activity of migrant and nonmigrant women were examined, especially migrants and nonmigrants in Metro Manila. Differences in the motivations and characteristics of migrants by place of origin and place of destination were also analysed to provide a better understanding of the migration process and its relationship with economic activity. The results showed that while the majority of female migrants were born in rural areas, stage migration was not prevalent as most of the rural-origin migrants migrated directly to cities. Female migrants were more likely to migrate to another municipality in the same province than to neighbouring provinces. Whenever they migrated out of their province, they tended to migrate longer distances, crossing regional boundaries. Among the important findings are the increasing circulation between urban areas and return migration among urbanward migrants and the greater propensity to migrate among the better educated migrants. The study indicated that migration motivations and behaviour could differ by type of migration and the move order. Economic motivations prevailed in all types of migration streams except the urban-rural stream where family motivations were more important in all moves. Housing reasons, perhaps associated with housing relocation of new families, increased in importance with subsequent moves. Migration and economic participation are both associated with the life cycle of marriage and the family. Most migrants were single at the time of migration but the percentage married increased with subsequent moves. The effect of parity lies not in the level of economic activity but on the type of occupation. Among ever-married nonmigrants in Metro Manila, employment in professional/clerical occupations was associated with low parity and sales with high parity. Among migrants, employment in services was associated with low parity and sales with high parity. Female migrants were disproportionately concentrated in services, with a higher percentage among the inter-regional than the intra-regional streams. However, among first-time rural-urban migrants, the highest percentage engaged in services was found among the intra-provincial streams and the lowest among the intra-regional streams. Occupational mobility was likely to occur among repeat migrants, with the better educated moving to professional occupations and the less educated to sales. Over time, migrants to Metro Manila tended to approach the economic activity pattern of nonmigrants. The role of unbalanced economic development has been reflected in the pattern of migration and the economic activity of women. Most of the rural-urban migrants were unemployed before migration, and kinship and friendship networks have played an important role in stimulating and in continuously keeping migration flow going in a cycle from which there may be no escape. There is a need for the government to develop programs to influence migration. Improving the education of women and creating demand for them in the labor market would raise women's status and autonomy over their productive and reproductive lives.