What defines rural-urban migration?

Rural-urban migration is defined as the movement of individuals or groups from rural areas, where the population is typically lower and economic activities predominantly involve agriculture or other primary sector activities, to urban areas, characterized by higher population density, greater economic opportunities, and more developed infrastructure. This phenomenon often occurs as people seek better employment prospects, access to services, and improved living conditions typically found in cities.

In contrast, moving from one rural area to another signifies a change within non-urban environments, which does not encapsulate the shift in lifestyle and economic opportunities associated with transitioning to urban settings. Similarly, relocating from urban areas to suburban areas, while still within a metropolitan context, does not reflect the dynamics of rural-urban migration since it involves movement within urbanized regions rather than from rural to urban. Lastly, movement within urban areas pertains to internal migration within cities, which similarly does not encompass the rural-to-urban movement that is the focus of rural-urban migration. Therefore, the definition that accurately captures this form of migration is the transition from rural environments to urban ones.