Paper Title
An Economic Perspective of The Push Factors of Migration to Dimapur

Abstract
In recent years, Dimapur which is the commercial hub of Nagaland, has emerged as a major destination for the migrants, in search of better livelihoods, services, and opportunities. However, while much attention is given to the factors that attract migrants to urban areas, the conditions that push them to leave their native places are often overlooked. Many of these communities continue to face serious challenges such as unemployment, poor infrastructure, limited access to healthcare and education, and declining agricultural viability at their place of origin. These hardships create a strong sense of instability and compel people—especially youth and working-age adults—to seek alternatives elsewhere. Yet, migration is not simply a reaction to poverty or lack of jobs. It is shaped by a mix of personal motivation, social influences, and the practical realities of moving, such as who helps them migrate and how connected they remain to home. Despite the growing scale of migration in Nagaland, there is limited research that captures these complex “push” dynamics from the perspective of migrants themselves. With high model accuracy (R² between 0.82 and 0.89), the study highlights how both personal and social factors influence migration decisions. Keywords - Push factors, Migration Decision, Social Networks, Return Visits, Urban Labour Market.