Statistical Study of Internal Migration Patterns and Their Implications in Plateau State

Internal migration from rural agricultural communities to urban centres in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, generates significant demographic and socioeconomic implications that statistical characterisation can help planners and policymakers understand and anticipate. This study statistically analyses internal migration patterns in Plateau State using data from the 2018 Plateau State Internal Migration Survey and the 2023 NBS demographic estimates. Net migration rates by LGA, migration stream origin-destination matrices, and demographic profiles of migrants were computed. Chi-square tests examined associations between migration status and socioeconomic characteristics. Trend comparisons with 2006 census-era estimates were conducted using z-tests for proportion differences. Jos North recorded a net in-migration rate of +28.4 per 1,000 population, the highest in the state. Rural agricultural LGAs showed persistent net out-migration averaging -14.7 per 1,000. Young adults aged 18 to 35 constituted 68 percent of all migrants, with males comprising 59 percent. Employment seeking was the dominant migration motivation, cited by 71 percent of migrants. Chi-square analysis confirmed significant associations between migration status and educational attainment and between migration motivation and educational level. The proportion migrating for education increased significantly since 2006 (z = 4.2, p < 0.001). The study recommends that Plateau State Government strengthen rural livelihood programmes to moderate rural out-migration and improve urban infrastructure planning in high in-migration LGAs. Keywords: internal migration, migration patterns, Plateau State, chi-square analysis, demographic statistics