Journal of Geographical Studies of Mountainous Areas

Journal of Geographical Studies of Mountainous Areas

Explaining the Social Effects of Return Migration to the Villages of Rudsar County

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Forogh Azarian 1
Eisa Pourramzan 2
Nasrollah Molaei Hashjin 2
1 Department of Geography, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
2 Department of Geography, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran; Tourism Research Center, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
10.22034/gsma.2025.2049644.1051
Abstract
1. Introduction
Return migration constitutes a form of temporary migration in which migrants intend to return to their place of origin after a defined period of residence elsewhere. This phenomenon can generate diverse effects on the reconstruction of rural areas across economic, social, infrastructural, and cultural dimensions. Rural pull factors and urban push factors, together with the expansion of transportation networks, generate the spatial mobility characteristic of return migration. Returns to rural areas yield consequences that differ from those associated with urban migration, affecting settlement patterns and social structures. Despite its significance for both origin and destination, national-level research has given relatively limited attention to this phenomenon. Consequently, studies that identify the characteristics of return migrants and the motivations for their return can inform planning and policymaking aimed at managing migration and mitigating pressure on urban centers. Conversely, understanding the drivers of return can enhance the capacity of small towns and rural settlements to adapt and develop.
 
2. Methodology
The present study was descriptive-analytical in terms of its purpose, application, and implementation. Data were collected through documentary sources and field investigations. The validity of the questionnaire was established based on the opinions of experts and specialists, and its reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, which yielded a value of 0.74. The independent variable of the study was return migration, while the dependent variables encompassed factors influencing migration, including retirement, distance from the village, local affiliation, and social security within the village. The primary variables related to the social effects of migration on villages included lifestyle changes, land use changes, and the provision of services to the village. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed to analyze the data. The statistical population comprised immigrants; of a total of 10,306 individuals, 4,428 (42.6%) had migrated to rural areas of Rudsar County. Among all immigrant-receiving villages in the county, 19 villages with more than 50 immigrants were selected. From these, a sample of 217 heads of households was determined using Cochran’s formula and was distributed across the selected villages via a random-quota sampling method.
 
3. Results
According to the findings, among the factors influencing migration to the villages of Rudsar County, local affiliation had the greatest impact, with a mean score of 4.35. Retirement and social security followed, with mean scores of 4.30 and 3.38, respectively. In other words, local affiliation was identified as the most significant factor affecting migration to the rural areas of Rudsar County. From a structural perspective of counter-urbanization, individuals’ perceptions and mental images of the village were considered important determinants of migration. In this regard, the respondents’ views on related items indicated that return migration had the highest impact on factors associated with social participation of migrants in rural life, with a mean score of 4.31; lifestyle changes (3.81); cultural duality in the village (3.61); enhancement of public services, including health, educational, and commercial services (3.21); and encouragement of villagers to remain in the village (3.20).
 
4. Discussion
The findings indicated that among the factors influencing migration to the villages of Rudsar County, local affiliation had the greatest impact, with a mean score of 4.35. Retirement and social security followed, with mean scores of 4.30 and 3.38, respectively. In other words, local belonging was identified as the most important factor affecting migration to the rural areas of Rudsar County. Regarding the social effects of migration, the greatest impact, with a mean score of 3.93, was observed in land use changes within the villages. The effects on lifestyle changes and service provision to the village were ranked next. In general, the respondents’ evaluations of the factors influencing return migration and the consequences of such migrations were mostly in the “high” to “very high” range, with mean scores exceeding the scale midpoint (3.0).
 
5. Conclusion
In examining the social effects of return migration to the villages of Rudsar County, the results indicated that, at a significance level of 0.01 (Sig = 0.000) and with a 99% confidence level, there was a significant relationship between return migration and social variables, including retirement, distance from the village, local belonging, and social security within the village. Analysis of the strength of these relationships showed that local belonging had the highest correlation (r = 0.471), followed by retirement (r = 0.465) and social security (r = 0.401). Moreover, the impact of return migration on social variables in the studied villages revealed significant associations with retirement, local belonging, and social security. Specifically, the strength of the relationship between return migration and social impact variables was highest for land use changes (r = 0.493), followed by lifestyle changes (r = 0.469) and service provision to the village (r = 0.395).
 
Acknowledgments
This article is derived from a doctoral dissertation in Geography and Rural Planning, completed at the Department of Geography, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch.
Keywords
Return Migration
Social Participation
Rural Reconstruction
Mountain Villages
Rudsar County
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Journal of Geographical Studies of Mountainous Areas
Volume 6, Issue 3 - Serial Number 23
Autumn
Summer 2025
Pages 111-132