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Indexed and AbstractedISSN 2045-8460 (Online)

African Journal of Social Sciences ISSN 2045-8452 (Print)Volume 1 Number 2 (2011), pp.110- 124 ww.sachajournals.com

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION, CONSUMPTION AND RE-ACCUMULATION OF

FAMILY ASSETS IN PAKISTAN

Muhammad Wajid TAHIR1, Seemab AZAM1, Majid Ali TAHIR2

1Department of Population Sciences, University of Gujrat, Pakistan2Government Degree College, Narang Mandi, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

The sale of family assets to pay for the cost of migrating abroad is a common phenomenon

among the people of Gujrat in Pakistan. People gather money from different sources to

complete the process of international migration, for this purpose they do not hesitate to sell

their agricultural land, houses, shops, and other personal possessions. The underlying

expectation is that the economic migrant would be able to raise the economic standards of

the closest relatives left behind in Pakistan by way of routine money transfer. The goal of

this study is to evaluate the pattern of asset conveyance and consumption patterns of

international economic migration in rural areas of Gujrat and, to highlight the how the

inward remittance of funds by the economic immigrants are contributing to the re -

accumulation of assets. A survey research method was used by adopting the simple

random sampling technique for selection of respondents (households) from two villages of

Gujrat district. The result shows that all interviewed households had sold different assets

for the purpose of sending economic immigrant abroad.

Keywords: Pakistan, Assets accumulation, International Migration, Economic migration

1. INTRODUCTIONApproximately 5-10 million people crosses international borders every year for

residency in different countries (Haour-Knipe and Davies, 2008). About 40 percent of

global migration occurs from developing to industrialized countries and the rest 60 percent

of global migration happens within developing countries (International Organization for

Migration, 2005). Incidents of human mobility across national boundaries are increasing

for education, re-union of families and desire for socio-economic uplifting. The last factor

is the most prevalent. In 2010, international migrants were estimated 214 million

throughout the world and majority of them migrated for better subsistence (International

Organization for Migration, 2010).

The use of different assets for migration and re-accumulation of assets in higher

quantity or in better quality has become a custom in developing countries (Dani and

Moser, 2008). Assets are defined as a stock of financial, human, natural or social


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resources that can be acquired, developed, improved and transferred across generations

(Moser, 2006). Many people use their assets to meet the expenditures incurred during

migration process. Socio-economic uplifting is the strongest motive behind international

migration among individuals and families. The financial expectations of native families are

also from emigrants. They are confident to attain maximum financial benefits from

emigrants after their settlement in other countries. Therefore, the families do not hesitate to

consume different assets for international migration of their members. Basically, they

invest on emigrants with the hope to re-accumulate consumed asset from their earnings in

the future. Massive familial pressure to re-accumulate assets has also been observed among

emigrants which they have had consumed at the time of international migration.

In the current phase of globalization, international migration is affecting people,

households and communities worldwide (Hamid, 2007). International migration has

profound effects on living, earning, consumption and saving patterns of emigrants and

their native families. At the time of migration of an individual, it is expected that the

migrant will ultimately contribute financial assets to the native family after being settled in

the destination country. For this purpose, the migrants have to do numerous jobs and live

below the poverty line to enhance their income so that they could support their familieswith a consistent amount of money (USASBE, 2011). The postulate of their financial

contribution in family income becomes very strong if a person emigrates by consuming

household assets. He is given a target to earn money keeping in view the maximum socio-

economic strengthening of native families in the future. Hence, most of the emigrants

reside in host countries for specific years and return to their homelands after accumulating

target wealth (Garcia and Montemayor, 2009).

Favorable social environment and better economic conditions attract the people to

move from one place to another. Poverty, economic instability, absence of proper source of

income, lack of resources, political instability and social problems establish grounds for

international migration in developing world (Hamid, 2007). Movement from one place toanother adjoins with different financial implications. Families with stable financial

conditions easily meet the expenditures incurred in the process of migration of its

members. However, people belonging to middle class families use different assets for

going abroad. Poor migrants also obtain loan from relatives, friends and banks for

emigration towards developed countries (Afsar, Yunus and Islam, 2002). Families accepts

financial burden either by consuming assets or taking loan for international migration with

the hope for financial stability and re-accumulation of consumed assets. Therefore, the

majority of emigrants respond back to their families in the form of remittances which are

considered a major source of financial stability (Lucas and Young, 1999). Remittances sent

by emigrants not only contribute in household income of recipient families but also help tore-accumulate previously consumed assets conveniently.

Since early 1990s, family-chain and employment-related migrations have been

observed throughout the world. United States, Europe, Middle East and emerging Asian

economies are destinations of immigrants coming from developing world (OECD, 2006).

Already settled family members in host countries facilitate the adjustment process of new

migrants. They help them to find suitable employment which enables them to send back a

huge portion of their earnings to their families. Inclusion of remittances in recipient

families income alters their money consumption patterns to meet basic needs and savings

(Edward and Mora, 2006). These savings are used to purchase agricultural land, ornaments

and other kind of properties. In many cases, international migrants bring cash with them in

return which is used to start repairing and rebuilding lost assets (Suleri and Savage 2006).


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It has also been observed that remittances are also being used for asset accumulation as

parallel to meet routine expenditures.

1.1 INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION TRENDS IN PAKISTAN

International migration is rife in Pakistan since independence. Economic instability

and lack of employment opportunities are pushing thousands of young people to emigrate

from Pakistan. There are also several other factors which are influencing the decision

regarding emigration. The Government of Pakistan also sends skilled workers in various

professions to developed countries. For this purpose different countries have signed

various kinds of treaties with the Government of Pakistan. Ministry of Labor and Overseas

recruits suitable professionals as desired by respective countries and sends them abroad.

On the other side, many private sector human resource agencies also develop links

with international organizations / agencies for providing them requisite manpower. They

charge heavy amounts from candidates and send them in respective countries through the

prescribed selection procedure. Through personal attempts, many Pakistanis try to reach

and get employment in developed countries by getting an independent visa or by adoptingillegal means. The following figure shows the proportion of Pakistani migrants living in

different parts of the world.

Figure No. 1 Pakistani Migrants in Different Countries

Source: Overseas Pakistan Foundation (2005)

Migrants from Pakistan are engaged in different professions in host countries.

The attainment of employment in host countries also varies with respect to prior

adjustments or post adjustments scenario. The following statistics reveal the profession

wise migration during two consecutive years.

Successful migrants send their earnings back to families in the form of

international remittances. Pakistan receives a significant amount of remittances from

abroad (Suleri and Savage 2006). These remittances play a pivotal role in socio-economic

uplifting of the families in home countries. According to the International Organization for

Migration (2009), Pakistan received $8720 million in one year. Table 2 shows the

proportion of remittances in average per capita income of different income groups in

Pakistan.

Africa

1%

America

21%

Asia/Far

East

2%Australia

/New

Zealand

0%Europe

28%

Middle East48%


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Table1: Profession Wise International Emigrants from Pakistan

Occupational Category 2005 2006

Professional, Technical etc. 3,125 3,914

Administrative and Managerial 2,415 4,197

Clerical etc. 1,192 1,827

Sales 3,969 4,115Service Workers 9,114 11,040

Domestic worker / caregiver 2,314 2,787

Other Service Worker 6,800 8,253

Agriculture culture 7,728 10,780

Total production, Transport, 114,592 147,318

Manufacturing and Factory 26,196 32,897

Construction 76,672 100,131Other production, Transport,Equipment 11,724 14,290

Total 142,135 183,191

SOURCE: Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, Ministry of Labour andOverseas Pakistanis, Government of Pakistan Annual Data on Labour Migration 1971-2006.

Table 2: Remittances and Per Capita Income in Pakistan

IncomeGroups

MeanIncome/capita % of per capita income

from externalRemittance

Lowest 20% 1176 1%

Second 20% 1721 1.70%Third 20% 2200 4.80%

Fourth 20% 2876 7.20%

Highest 20% 5261 13.80%

SOURCE: Adams 1998, survey based on 469 Pakistani Households during 1986-87 and

1990-91

Migrants pay huge amounts for reaching in any of the destination countries either

by public or private sources. Money for international migration is arranged by families

from different means e.g., Personal savings, sale of Agriculture land or any other property

or ornaments, getting loans from banks or relatives. Utilization of these assets for

international migration develops a hope among migrants as well as family members that

more earnings from abroad will not only raise their socio-economic status but also bring

them in a position to re-accumulate similar or better assets after a few years. But to which

extent this desire is fulfilled? It purely depends upon the status of migrants in the

destination country. However, the effect of money received by families from international

migrants helps in accumulating assets in Pakistan (Adams, 1998).

The Gujrat district is famous for international migration in Pakistan. About 0.25

million people are settled abroad from this district (District Health Officer, Gujrat, 2011).

Migrants from this district use different means for international migration. The majority

of the migrants uses their saving assets or obtains a loan from friends / relatives to meet the

expenditures of international migration. This paper illustrates the use of assets forinternational migration in rural areas of Gujrat district. The paper also tells about the types


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of assets used for international migration, the amount of remittances received from

international migrants and the role of remittances in re-accumulation of consumed assets.

This paper also highlights the role of remittances in uplifting of the socioeconomic status

of recipient families. The objectives of the study are:

To highlight the types and cost of assets consumed from international migration inrural areas of Gujrat, Pakistan

To study the role of remittances in re-accumulation of consumed assets forinternational migration in rural areas of Gujrat, Pakistan

To find out the opinion regarding international migration among rural inhabitantsof Gujrat, Pakistan

1.2 REVIEW OF SELECTED LITERATURESChiodi, Jaimovichy and Rojas (2010) studied the link between migration and asset

dynamics in rural households in Mexico. They inferred that many families send theirfamily members abroad with the intention of attaining financial benefit from remittances.

They are highly inclined to utilize the money obtained from remittances for investment in

productive assets. De Haan (2000) found that migrants from India emigrated to diminish

the uncertainty of family income, provide further investment and livelihoods for native

family members. Felipe and Dizon (2009) conducted a study to highlight the asset

accumulation trends in Guatemala. They found that the probabilities of farm investments

were lower among migrants. Education and housing investments were top priority. Few

migrants were inclined towards livestock investments. Migrants belonged to urban areas

were investing in human capital and semi-urban migrants were investing in home

improvements and farm-complementary Agriculture cultural capital.Groggera and Hanson (2010) concluded by studying schooling and earning

patterns among the emigrants and non-migrants in different countries that migrants had a

higher educational level than non-migrants. They also claimed that the migrants had also

better skills for earning than people of origin. Dustmann and Mestres (2010) concluded in

a study that savings and assets accumulation are affected by return plans of immigrants.

Savings and assets accumulation in the home and host countries are related to returning

plans of migrants. The findings of the study show that the immigrants with temporary

return plans place a higher proportion of their savings in the home country. Especially, the

migrants who consider their stay in host countries temporary prefer to accumulate assets in

the form of housing in the home country.Osili (2006) investigated that skilled migrants who have high expectations with

their career and income in return are less likely to be investing in assets in place of origin.

However, they tend to send a larger amount of money to origin families. He concluded that

remittances have the potential to contribute in the economic prosperity of place of origin.

The earnings of migrants also help to accumulate various assets in the country of origin.

Yang (2008) conducted a study of the households in the Philippines whose members went

abroad during the last five years. He found that the migration of people positively affected

the human capital and entrepreneurships at the place of origin. He concluded that due to

migration of family members the child schooling and educational expenditure increased

and child labor decreased. It was also observed that the recipients of foreign remittances

were working more hours in self-employment. They were ready to start relatively capital-

intensive household enterprises with the support of migrants.


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Dorantes, Catalina and Pozo (2008) studied the consumption and asset

accumulation patterns of Mexican households according to their remittance-receiving

patterns and regularity of their remittance reception. They analysed data from a nationally

representative survey carried out by the Mexican Statistical Institute and concluded that

remittances are used in such ways that breed dependency instead of promoting longer term

capital accumulation and economic growth. They found that remittances are mainly used to

finance household consumption, reducing the labour force participation of family members

at the place of origin and diminishing the households long-term ability to prosper on its

own.

Kirdar (2004) studied the migrants return and saving patterns by using a

stochastic dynamic model in Germany. This model gives information about migrants

saving patterns and timings of their return. He also studied the savings and return

migration patterns in the context of the country of origin and migrants demographic

characteristics. This model also focuses on different fiscal policies, employment

opportunities and conditions which enable the migrants to decide about returns. He

concluded that migrants with usual employment but higher savings and with longer

duration of stay are more likely to return. Roushdy, Assaad and Rashed (2009) analyzedthat migration and remittances are more likely to enhance household wealth. They

concluded that the permanent attachment of a household with a migrant member or

reception of remittances on a continuous basis decreases the household poverty by 8

percent. They concluded that migration plays an important role in providing a wider set of

opportunities for young men to make some savings prior to marriage and to gain some

skills that could be useful when returning to home.

Eurostat (2000) found that 74 percent of households receiving remittances used the

money on daily household expenses, 7.3 percent were using this money to renovate, build

or buy houses and 3.9 percent were using remittances for education of family members.

Djajic (2010) studied the attractive investment opportunities available to migrants in thecountries of their origin. He also studied the duration of stay in host countries and saving

behavior of similar migrants. His model predicted an inverse U-shaped relationship

between duration of migration and expected savings in return. He concluded that the desire

of more savings force them to consume less at host countries and push them to return to

countries of origin at earlier. Duration of stay is linked with the desire to generate

sufficient savings which are essential for investment or asset accumulation at return.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODThe study was conducted in two selected villages of Gujrat district. For this

purpose, initially one rural union council (Goleki) was selected randomly from Gujrat

district. Then a list of villages located in Goleki Union Council was prepared. The list of

villages was shared with the Western Union office, Gujrat and two villages Jassoki and

Jhernwali with a high frequency of remittances reception from abroad were selected for

study purposes. The survey population was comprised of household having emigrants from

the selected rural areas. The sampling frame was not available for this study therefore a

baseline survey was conducted by researcher to figure out the households with

international migrants.

In the village Jassoki 320 households had international migrants out of the total

571 households and in Jhernwali 510 households had international migrants out of the

total 751 households. 20 percent households with international migrants from each village

were interviewed randomly. Total 166 family members of selected households were


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interviewed from both villages. An interview schedule was used as a data collection tool.

Data was analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) by applying

appropriate tests for detailed analysis.

Table 3: Destination of Pakistan Migrants

Table 3 shows, that 58 percent of emigrants are living in European countries.

Proportion of emigrants living in US was 15 percent and in Middle East region was 17.5percent. Emigrants settled in UK were 7.2 percent and in other Asian countries were 2.4

percent.

Table: 4. Education of Migrants at the Occasion of Migration

Category Frequency Percent

Illiterate 7 4.25 years 25 15.18 years 44 26.510 years 55 33.112 years 26 15.7

14+ years 9 5.4Total 166 100

Table 4 shows that majority of emigrants (33.1 percent) had ten years education at the

occasion of international migration. Emigrants with eight years education were 26.5

percent, with five and twelve years of education were almost equal. Emigrants with

graduation degrees were 5.4 percent and 4.2 percent were illiterate.

Table: 5. Types of Migrants Jobs in Host Countries


Blue Collar Employment 109 65.7White Collar Employment 19 11.4Own Business 28 16.9Not Yet Working

10 6Total 166 100

Table 5 shows that majority of emigrants were working in blue collar professions in host

countries. Eleven percent emigrants had white collar jobs at different organizations / industries in host

countries. Seventeen percent had established their enterprises and 6 percent had no employment in host

countries.

Category Frequency PercentEurope 96 57.8

UnitedKingdom

12 7.2

United States 25 15.1

Middle East 29 17.5

Other Asian 4 2.4

Total 166 100


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Table: 6. Use of Asset for International Migration

Category Frequency PercentYes 113 68.1No 53 31.9Total

166 100

Table 6 shows that majority of household have sold different type of assets for

international migration of their family members. However, about 1/3 households did not

sell any asset for sending their family members abroad.

Table 7: Types of Assets Sold / Consumed for International Migration

Table 7 shows that majority of households sold Agriculture land for international

migration of their family members. Ornaments were sold by 22 percent households for

international migration of their family members. Fifteen percent households sold a piece of

land, house, shops or a market to meet the financial needs of emigrations. Only 4 percent

households sold livestock for international migration of family members and 5 percent

gathered money by sale of more than two assets.

Table 8: Values of Sold / Consumed Assets at the Time of International Migration

Categories

Mean

Value Frequency Percent

less than100,000

643758 7

101,000-

300,000

256250

32 28301,000-600,000

45400050 44

601,000-900,000

84000014 12

901,000+ 1061111 9 8Total 113 100

Table 8 shows the cost of assets utilized for international migration of family

members. Data reveals that 44 percent households sold different assets valued Rs.

301,000-600,000 for international migration of their family members and the mean value

of consumed assets was Rs. 454000. Assets ranges from Rs. 10100 to Rs. 300000 were

consumed for international migration of family members by 28 percent households and


Agriculture land 61 54

Any kind of Ornament 24 22Any kind of Property 17 15

Livestock 5 4

Agriculture land + Any kindof Ornaments + Property

6 5

Total 113 100


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mean value of utilized assets was Rs. 256250. Twelve percent households used different

assets with the cost of Rs. 601,000 to 900,000 for international migration of family

members and calculated mean value was Rs. 840000. Only 8 percent respondents reported

that they consumed various assets amounting to Rs. 900000+ for international migration of

their family members, here mean value was counted Rs. 1061111. Few respondents shared

that their consumed assets were valued less than Rs. 100000 and mean value of these

assets was calculated Rs. 64375.

Table 9: Reception of Remittances from Abroad

Table 9 shows the amount of remittances received by native households on a

monthly basis. The figures reflect that 40 percent households were receiving Rs. 20,001 to

30,000 per month from aboard. Twenty one percent native households were obtaining an

amount ranging from Rs. 10,001 to 20,000 on a monthly basis. About 15 percent

households were receiving Rs. 30,000 to 40,000 every month. An amount of Rs. 40,000+

per month was being received by 14 percent households. The rest of households were

receiving an amount near Rs. 10,000 per month.Table 10: Purchase of Assets from Savings

This table shows that majority of households purchased different assets with the

savings from international remittances. Fifteen percent households reported that they did

not purchase any asset despite of savings from remittances.Table 11 shows that majority of households purchased ornaments by using

international remittances. Agricultural land was purchased by 11 percent households and

18 percent purchased different kinds of Properties e.g., house, piece of land, shops etc.

from the remittances. Livestock business was strengthened / re-established by 10 percent

households by using international remittances. Only 8 percent households re-accumulated

agriculture land, ornaments and property with the support of emigrants.


Less than10,000 17 1110,001-20,000 32 2120,001-30,000 62 4030,001-40,000 23 15

40,000+ 22 14Total 156 100


Yes 96 85No 17 15Total 113 100


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Table: 11: Types of Assets Purchased from International Remittances


Agriculture land 11 11

Any kind of Ornament 38 40

Any kind of Property 29 18

Livestock 10 10

Agriculture land+ Any kind ofOrnaments+ Property

8 8

Total 96 100

Table 12: Cost of Re-Accumulated Assets

Category Mean Value Frequency Percent

less than 100,000 883336 6

101,000-300,000 229285 21 22301,000-600,000 518437 32 33601,000-900,000 859687 16 17901,000+ 1364286 21 22Total 96 100

This table shows the cost of re-accumulated assets by households with the support

of emigrants. It was found that 33 percent households re-accumulated the assets valued Rs.

301,000 to 600,000 and mean value of re-accumulated assets were Rs. 518437. The

households those re-accumulated assets valued Rs. 101,000 to 300,000 were 22 percent

and mean value of re-accumulated assets were Rs. 229285.

Figure 1: The Value of Consumed Assets and Re-Accumulated Assets

The households those re-accumulated assets with the cost of Rs. 901,000+ by

using international remittances were 22 percent and mean value of re-accumulated assets

were Rs. 1364286. However, 17 percent households shared that the cost of their newly

Value of Consumed & Re-accumulated Assets

0

10

20

30

40

50

>100

000

1010

00-300

000

3010

00-600

000

6010

00-900

000

9000

00+

Range of Amount (Rs.)

Households(%

Consumed %

Re-accumulated %


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purchased assets ranges from Rs. 601,000 to 900,000 where the mean value of re-

accumulated assets were 859687. Only 6 percent respondents told that the cost of their

newly purchased assets was less than 100,000 and mean value of re-accumulated assets

were Rs. 88333.

Figure 1 reflects that contribution of international remittances in household income

was helping to re-accumulate assets which were consumed for international migration of

family members in different quantity and values. It was observed that the percentage of

households those re-accumulated assets valued Rs. 101000 to 600000 was less than

households those consumed similar value assets. But the percentage of households those

re-accumulated assets valued Rs. 601000 to 900000+ was higher than household those

consumed same value assets at the time of international migration of their family members.

A significant difference in the mean values of consumed and re-accumulated assets were

calculated.

3. DISCUSSIONThis study reveals that emigrants from rural areas of Gujrat are settled in different

countries e.g., Europe, Middle East, United Kingdom, United States, Malaysia and

Thailand. However, a larger proportion of emigrants were living in European and Middle

East regions. With reference to these findings, Esipova and Ray (n.d.) Also documented

that majority of migrants prefers to select European and Middle East countries as place of

destination due to attractive social environment, suitable economic activities and

adjustment facilitation from relatives or friends.

The study describes that emigrants were at different levels of education at the time

of migration. One third emigrants had completed secondary school certificate (10 years),

one fourth had eight years schooling and one sixth had twelve years of education at the

time of departure towards other countries. Maximum reported qualification of emigrantswas graduation but their number was very marginal. Few emigrants were illiterate at the

time of migration. These findings are connected with the Department of Labors (n.d.)

Report where the majority of emigrants had school level qualifications, few migrants were

bachelor degree holders and the rests of them were illiterate. According to respondents,

more than half emigrants were working in blue-color professions in host countries and

most of them were settled in Eastern Europe and Middle East countries. Sixteen percent

emigrants were engaged with their own business and they were residing in the United

States, United Kingdom and Western Europe. Eleven percent emigrants were settled in the

Middle East and enjoying white-collar professions in a dynamic market. These findings are

also endorsed by the International Labor Organization (2004) which provides facts about

migrants working in different host countries.

The report elaborates that the skilled migrant workers have been engaged in high

paid professions in host countries. However, there are thousands of less skilled migrants

who are employed at low-wages in various jobs related to agriculture, cleaning,

maintenance, construction, domestic service, health care and the sex sector. People have

to manage a huge amount of money before initiating the process of international migration.

In case of legal migration, the money is required to pay visa fee, relevant documentation,

shopping, airfare and for adjustment in host countries. But in the case of illegal migration,

a gigantic amount of money is paid to human smugglers for crossing an international

border.

The results of the present study confirm that people consume different assets to

meet such expenditures incurred on international migration of their family members in


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rural areas. Sixty eight percent households shared that they sold different types of assets to

meet the expenditures incurred on international migration of family members. Different

types of assets were consumed for international migration of family members by

households. Lowell and Findlay (2001) endorse the findings of the current study with the

statement that in most of cases the process of migration requires huge amount of money

which is paid by selling family assets. The study reveals that the salient assets consumed

by families were agriculture land, houses, shops, ornaments and livestock with the desire

of socio-economic uplifting in the future. Usually, people belong to rural areas are

associated with agriculture or related business. Therefore, fifty four percent families sold

their agricultural land to meet the expenditures incurred on the migration of their family

members. The families, which had no agricultural land, consumed various ornaments for

this purpose.

Many families also sold different properties e.g., house, shop or plot for

international migration of their family members. In many cases, complete expenditures

incurred on emigration of family members were managed by selling different assets but in

rare cases a supplementary amount was collected by consuming various assets to fill the

deficit in required funding. However, only one third of the sampled households couldafford to send their family members abroad without depriving themselves from their

assets. The study of Afsar, Yunus and Islam (2001) confirms the results of the present

study by narrating that the cost of migration has been financed by selling land or house in

Asian countries. The findings infer that availability of different type of assets make the

process of international migration relatively easy for rural inhabitants. Usually existence of

any asset values more than Rs. 600000 in a household is considered a hope for

international migration of the male member in rural areas. Use of different assets was

making the procedure of international migration easy for local inhabitants. The majority of

households were receiving remittances from abroad on a regular basis.

The value of remittances varied from case to case. However, immigrants living inEurope, the United States and the United Kingdom were sending three times more money

as compared to emigrants settled in the Middle East or Asian countries. European

Investment Bank (2008) also reported that an amount of 7.1 billion Euros transfers to other

countries by migrants every year. The results indicate that remittances were being used to

re-accumulate assets which were consumed at the time of migrants departure from

Pakistan. The findings are confirmed by Adams (1991), he elaborated that the migrants

like to invest their money for accumulation of different assets. The difference in mean

values of consumed and re-accumulated assets authenticators that remittances were helping

in asset accumulation at higher quantity and values in rural areas of Gujrat. Edwards and

Ureta (2001) confirms these results by stating that with the reception of remittances, thehouseholds become able to save sufficiently and accumulate various assets. According to

respondents, the majority of households used agricultural land for international migration

of their family members but preferred to purchase ornaments after getting remittances from

abroad. Few families reported purchase of agricultural land with the financial support of

immigrants. One third native family purchased different kinds of properties e.g., houses,

shops and animals by using financial gift of remittances.

The maximum mean value of the re-accumulated assets was observed Rs. 1364286

whereas the mean value of consumed assets was Rs. 1061111. But the number of

households those re-accumulated assets value Rs. 900000+ was significantly higher than

households those consumed assets within same value. It was found that use of assets,

reception of remittances from abroad and re-accumulation of consumed assets are


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interrelated phenomenon. Remittances were not only contributing in the financial stability

of families but also helping native households to re-accumulate consumed assets instantly.

International migration was considered an immediate source of socio-economic uplifting

hence rural dwellers of Gujrat were keen for emigration by consuming valuable assets.

4. CONCLUSIONIt is concluded from this study that the tendency for international migration by

using different kinds of assets is high among the inhabitants of rural areas of Gujrat. It was

found that most of the emigrants from rural areas of Gujrat were settled in different

European and Middle East countries. For international migration, they had consumed

different family assets but now they had better employment in host countries. They were

sending remittances to native families and inclusion of remittances in local income was

increasing the purchasing power of recipient families. Remittances sent by international

migrants were not only serving to meet the basic needs of life but also to re-accumulate

assets which were consumed at the time of migration of emigrants. Most common assets

used for international migration in rural areas of Gujrat were agriculture land, ornaments,shops, houses, markets and livestock. A significant difference in the quantities and values

of consumed and re-accumulated assets were calculated from the data provided by

respondents. Perhaps, this was the reason that an overwhelming majority were in favour of

international migration by using existing assets in case of financial constraints.

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