Internal migration to Riyadh: Patterns, kinship system support, and the socioeconomic achievements of migrants

This research report describes a cross-sectional study of Saudi households in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is based on interviews of 270 heads of household of the city. The main objectives are: (a) to study the earlier and more recent waves of Saudi migration to the city to see if they are similar in pattern over time; (b) to examine the kinship network's role in facilitating the migration process and how relatives help newcomers become established both socially and economically in the urban society; and (c) to focus on the current situation of migrants by investigating their socioeconomic achievements after moving to the urban center and to determine the extent to which they have become socially and economically integrated into the mainstream of Riyadh.;The majority of Saudi heads of households in Riyadh are migrants. The patterns of migration of the earlier and more recent waves of migration are similar. Migrants came to Riyadh from similar circumstances. Both early and recent migrants were young when they moved to the urban center and they were searching for better economic and educational opportunities. The kinship network helped newcomers to become established in the city. Relatives gave migrants shelter, financial help, and assisted them in finding jobs. The eventual achievements of newcomers in the city were more a result of stage in life cycle and how long they were living in Riyadh than any unique characteristics of the migration situation.