Mumbai has one of the largest number of migrants in India, according to the UNESCO publication on Social Inclusion of Internal Migrants in India. Released on Thursday in New Delhi, the report says that 43 per cent of Mumbai’s population are migrants seeking a better life.

Although the report doesn’t throw light on the percentage of migration from other parts of Maharashtra, it says that people from Bihar, UP, MP, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are migrating to the city in search of a livelihood. The report said that migrants from southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have also shifted to Maharashtra and Mumbai. Delhi has a similar percentage of migrants and its sources of migration are the same states.

While nativist politicians claim that migrants from Bihar and UP are stealing jobs, the report said that this was a myth because the majority of migrants take up jobs which locals usually shun.

“Poor migrants typically do the ‘3-D’ (dirty, dangerous and degrading) jobs, which locals don’t want to do,” read the report.

It is a widely held notion that harsh treatment is the best deterrent to migrants, but the report said that such actions do nothing but reduce development potential. “By not accepting migrants or providing facilities for them, governments are merely increasing risks...and reducing development potential,” the report read.

Due to Mumbai, Maharashtra has the largest number of migrants working in different places and industries, surpassing states like Punjab and Haryana that were conventional abodes for cheap agricultural labour coming from UP and Bihar.

“Cities like Mumbai have become a popular destination for migrants from poorer states. Migration in Punjab and Haryana has decreased and people are heading towards industrial states like Maharashtra,” said Union minister for rural development Jairam Ramesh.

Number facts30% of populationhave moved to other states

326mn have moved base from home states (NSSO 2008)

15-29yrs Majority age group.