Over the course of economic development, why workers migrate to urban areas from rural areas?

As an economy develops, labour flows from agriculture sector to industry and service sector.

The correct answer is option 1: As an economy develops, labour flows from agriculture sector to industry and service sector.

During economic development, more employment opportunities are created in industries and services located mainly in urban areas. As a result, workers shift from the agriculture sector in rural areas to urban areas in search of better jobs, higher income, and improved living conditions.

Why Option 2 is not the primary reason: Increase in rural population is not the main economic reason for migration. Migration mainly occurs because workers move towards sectors with better employment opportunities.

NCERT: In the course of economic development of a country, labour flows from agriculture and other related activities to industry and services. In this process, workers migrate from rural to urban areas as all the related employment opportunities are in urban areas only. While increased population in rural areas can also contribute to migration pressures, the primary driver is typically the economic opportunities available in urban areas.