Rural to Urban Migration | Writing for Academic IELTS PDF Download

In this rural to urban migration essay, you have to examine the trend for young people to move from rural areas to the city in order to study or work.

Here is in the question:
Q. In many countries, young people are leaving their homes in rural areas to study or work in cities. What do you think are the reasons for this? Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Hint:

• So you need to say:
  • Why young people are moving
  • Whether overall this is a positive or negative development
• As the question mentions study and work, you should try to address these in your essay.
• Think about why work or study may be more tempting to younger people in the city as opposed to rural areas. 
  • Rural to Urban Migration
  • Rural to Urban Migration
    
    
• There are various ways to organise the rural to urban migration essay. You could for example have each body paragraph with a reason and then state why this is a pro or a con, or if it could be both. 
  • Reason 1 - Pro / Con
  • Reason 2 - Pro / Con
• Or you could simply discuss the reasons then go on to discuss the pros and/or cons later in the essay.
  • Reason 1 & 2 (& 3)
  • Pros / Cons

Sample Answer

• In many countries around the world, the divide between rural and urban communities has been increasing in recent years. Young people seeking opportunities and change are making the move from their rural homes into the big cities with the promise of increased career prospects, greater financial freedom, and a new lifestyle, and these advantages often outweigh the drawbacks.
• One reason for young people leaving is that the business and career opportunities offered in cities is appealing. Rural communities often have limited prospects for young people who dream of more than the relatively simple life of farming and small-town businesses. Regarding study, cities will sometimes have more educational opportunities, with schools and universities perhaps having better resources and advanced technology to learn from. Having grown up in a smaller, rural community for their entire lives, many young people view the move to big cities more as an opportunity to change their social life, rather than their financial future, with the city offering more opportunities for entertainment and to meet people from different walks of life.
• However, there can be disadvantages of such moves. Unfortunately, in many instances, the promised opportunities do not come to fruition as the markets are highly competitive, and jobs are still limited even in a large city. Sadly the change in values can also be difficult for them to adjust to, and often young people end up in further financial trouble and ultimately have to go back to their rural homes. In some cases, they are unable to create the life they dreamed of and sometimes live more difficult, more isolated lives in the big city while chasing their dreams.
• While there are potential pitfalls of migrating for these young people, overall the benefits that can be gained from taking the risk in terms of a better future outweigh these. Ultimately it is up to each person carefully to weigh up which is the best option for them before making any decision.