International Institute for Population Sciences
Deemed to be University (An Autonomous Organization of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India)

This qualitative study explores the social and economic mobility of Marathi migrants in Mumbai, focusing on the long-term impact of intra-state migration from different regions of Maharashtra. Migration from rural to urban India remains a pivotal phenomenon, yet the nuanced social and economic impacts on migrant communities, particularly in the context of intra-state migration to Mumbai from different regions of Maharashtra are underexplored. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews with Marathi migrants residing in Mumbai’s slums of FN ward, S ward, and PN ward, this study analyses the experiences of 10 migrants from Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha, Northern Maharashtra, and Konkan. The themes reveal that while many migrants experience economic mobility through stable employment and increased wages, social mobility remains constrained. Despite higher wages and stable employment, caste-based discrimination and social exclusion continue to hinder their social mobility. Additionally, migrants are often confined to low-wage, precarious jobs with limited career progression, reinforcing occupational immobility. Financial insecurity remains a major challenge, as economic gains are highly vulnerable to external shocks, such as medical emergencies and job losses, which can quickly erode progress. While some families experience incremental financial improvement over generations, others remain stagnant, highlighting disparities in mobility. Homeownership, a key indicator of economic stability, remains largely unattainable for most migrants due to high living costs. Migration, while offering increased income opportunities, also imposes significant financial burdens, limiting long-term economic security. Overall, this study emphasizes that economic mobility does not necessarily translate into social mobility.