The Causes of Rural to Urban Migrations in the Case of Dire Dawa City Administration, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of rural to urban migration in the case of Dire Dawa City Administration, Eastern Ethiopia. The participants of the study were 300 households selected from three major urban kebeles in the city. As such, Kebele 02, Kebele 06 and Kebele 09 were selected.  The sample of this study was taken through systematic sampling and simple random sampling technique.  To collect data, questionnaire and interview methods were used. The study revealed that the causes of rural-urban migration to Dire Dawa City Administration were mostly related to economic reasons. The main reason that drives migrants to move to Dire Dawa City was attested by both quantitative and qualitative data. As such, migrants move to Dire Dawa for seeking employment and job, to open and extend business, to get better urban facilities and housing, and to maximize income were revealed in the study.

Keywords: Migration; Causes; Rural-Urban; Dire Dawa City; Eastern Ethiopia.