The socio-economic impact of labour migration on households : Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Limpopo Province

Abstract

This study focuses on the nature of migration and the socio-economic conditions in the households of Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. The study investigates the relationship between labour or economic migration and the socio-economic conditions in the households. Mogalakwena Local Municipality was used as a case study and three villages were sampled for this study. A total of hundred twenty (120) households in the three villages were sampled for the survey, using structured questionnaire. The study used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysis of data and derived frequencies, percentages, mean, graphs and charts from various households. The study found that there is a great difference in terms of the living standards, comparing households with and without migrants. It was also found that only 3, 3 % of the respondents are arguing labour migration is affecting the socio-economic conditions negatively in the households. Whereas, 64, 2 % are arguing that labour migration is found to be impacting positively on the socio- economic conditions in the households.Recommendations and conclusions were made on how to address the negative socio-economic impact of labour migration on households in the rural areas.