Climate migrants don’t always move to big cities, study in Bangladesh shows
Research conducted by Jan Freihardt of ETH Zurich, found that the assumption that climate migrants primarily move to major cities or abroad is largely a misconception. Most climate migrants in Bangladesh relocate within close proximity to their original homes.
In a study tracking 2,200 people along the Jamuna River, over 10% were displaced due to river erosion, yet most moved to nearby villages rather than urban centers or foreign countries, says SwissInfo.
Migration remains a critical concern for Bangladesh. Harmful events such as floods, droughts, and cyclones are common annual events that have worsened due to climate change.
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As climate-related migration rises, it collides global political debates on asylum and migration policies. Right-wing politicians in countries like Switzerland have used climate migration as a tool to stoke fear and push restrictive asylum policies, arguing that climate-induced displacement should not qualify individuals for refugee status.
The reduction of international aid, particularly from the US and European countries, has further worsened the difficulties faced by climate-affected communities in Bangladesh.
Labour migration has a long history in Bangladesh, with millions of its citizens working abroad, particularly in the Gulf states.
According to the 2024 World Migration Report, remittances to Bangladesh amounted to $21.5 billion (CHF19.3 billion) in 2022, accounting for just over 4.5% of GDP.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) regularly warn against discontinuing support for climate-affected communities as this could backfire and lead to more migration. "People often migrate after a disaster because they don't have the funds to rebuild," says Prashant Verma, who oversees Helvetas projects in Bangladesh.
"The poorest are the most vulnerable to climate change," he says. "If they receive support to adapt to the new circumstances, they are more likely to stay in their familiar surroundings. Without support, they are often forced to migrate in search of income, for example, to repay their loan."
