Migration and reverse migration are the two sides of the same coin. The pros and cons of these
two phenomena can be evaluated only in the context in which these processes occur. Generally,
migration may lead to economic gain for the migrants and the economy from where the
migration originated. It need not be the case always. Reverse migration, on the other hand,
presents both positive and negative effects. The kind of reverse migration during the COVID
period was a painful affair that has had many repercussions for migrants and the economy.
Kerala faced this situation even before the spread of COVID-19. The return migrants and their
reintegration were a vital concern, and it was interesting to find that education and ease of
reintegration were highly associated. Disseminating information regarding government
schemes for reintegration has to be a prioritised agenda in the administrative realm. Added to
this, student out-migration has been on the increase in recent periods, reflecting the lopsided
employment potential of the productive sector in Kerala. There are policy issues and gender
dynamics which demand more scientific research. While out migration presents a mixed
picture, internal migration from other States results in a great relief to the economy, barring the
social consequences reported in different parts of the State. Health status and living conditions
throw light on the latter aspect, which is analytically investigated and reported in a paper.
Finally, the extreme uncertainty faced by women migrant workers increases risk-aversion
strategies to reduce potential loss and regain their financial stability. This book includes articles on these topics.