Rethinking migration in a changing climate: Multifaceted and interconnected drivers and adaptive strategies in Bangladesh

Climatic hazards could shape migration in regions vulnerable to climate change such as the Southwestern coast of Bangladesh. While the nexus of environmental change and human mobility has been researched, how contexts shape migration drivers and patterns remain unclear. This article addresses this gap by examining migration dynamics in the Khulna City Corporation and Koyra Upazila, to discern the influence of urban and rural vulnerabilities. We surveyed 300 households and conducted four focus group discussions and six key informant interviews to unpack the interplay of environmental, economic, and social drivers of migration. The findings indicate that in Koyra migration is predominantly driven by hazards such as cyclones and salinity intrusion, which severely disrupt rural livelihoods. In Khulna, migration is in turn shaped by economic opportunities and better living conditions. In both locations, economic vulnerability amplifies the impact of climatic hazards particularly among low-income groups. While survival-driven migration persists in Koyra, migration in Khulna is increasingly a result of strategic decisions and planned adaptation aimed at long term socio-economic resilience, for example by investing in skills development. The results highlight how immediate environmental pressures intersect with aspirations for economic stability and make migration a complex phenomenon. These insights can guide policy measures to enhance community resilience, reduce vulnerabilities, and address the multidimensional migration challenges across diverse settings.