In a clear shift from the centralising trend in the country’s population, there has been a steady decline in the number of permanent residents migrating to the Capital. Growing urbanisation, improved access to basic facilities like education, health and water in many parts of the country have discouraged people from migrating to Kathmandu.

Records from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office show that only 4,323 persons officially migrated to the Capital in the year 2011, down from a total of 7,000 in 2010, 9,000 in 2009 and 8,327 in 2008. The figures include those who own houses in the Capital but exclude those who migrate temporarily. According to KMC officials, Kathmandu receives thousands of temporary residents every year. People normally come to Kathmandu for further studies and employment.

“In earlier years, around 20 persons would receive migration certificates on a daily basis. The number has lessened to an average of 10 in the last one and half years,” said Sailesh Lamsal, who looks after the data section at KMC. In yet another indication of the decentralising trend, there has been a continuous rise in migration outside the Capital. Records show 2,528 persons migrated outside Kathmandu in the year 2011, up from 2,325 in the year 2010, 1,984 in 2009 and 1,684 in 2008. Sociologist Raju KC said the migration is normally affected by push and pull factors

'Issues of federalism have affected people’

“Families normally leave their settlements in search of better services like jobs, education and health. Since there has been positive development in these areas throughout the country, people are not under such heavy pressure to leave their villages anymore,” said KC. According to KC, economic and political factors have lured many people outside the Capital. “Opportunities for investment in potential markets such as agriculture, hydropower and other small business have lured even peope from Kathmandu to migrate outside.

Issues of federalism also have certain mental effects,” said KC. KC opined that the rising cost of land and housing has also put a damper on migration to the Capital. Many are selling their small properties and buying large estates in relatively cheaper areas outside the Capital. “But as the capital and the administrative centre, Kathmandu will always remain the focal city. The city still attracts thousands of students, jobseekers and employers every year,” said KC. Record shows 2,945 families received migration certificates in 2011.

The number was 3,586 in 2010, 3,009 in 2009 and 2,593 in 2008. The figures include only those people living in the metropolitan city. “We do not register those who do not own a home or land here. Many people do not submit migration certificates unless they need citizenship, passports or other official work,” said Lamsal. During the decade long civil war, Kathmandu was the dream for every citizen. Assurances of safety, employment and improved educational and health services attracted a large portion of the country’s population to the Capital and the other two districts in the Valley.

The census in 2011 categorised Kathmandu district as most populous in the country. Kathmandu recorded the highest population growth rate in the last decade at 60.93 percent and a population density of 4,408 people per sq km. The population of Kathmandu district currently stands at 1.74 million. Whereas, the total population of the Kathmandu Valley—which was 1.6 million 10 years ago—is now 2.51 million, according to records

Kathmandu district recorded the highest population growth rate in the last decade at 60.93 percent and a population density of 4,408 people per square kilometer.`

Published on: 5 August 2012 | The Kathmandu Post