International Migration Is Reshaping Dietary Habits In Kerala: IIM-Indore Study

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): A study from the Indian Institute of Management Indore has revealed that international migration is doing more than boosting bank balances in Kerala—it’s also transforming what families eat at the dinner table.

Published in the respected journal Food Security, the study, led by IIM Indore Prof Ajay Sharma and Pooja Batra (DPM alumna), uncovers a strong link between migration and dietary transformation in Kerala, one of India’s top migrant-sending states.

Families with at least one international migrant not only spend more on food but also enjoy significantly more diverse and nutritious diets than non-migrant households, the research finds.

Using data from the 2011 Kerala Migration Survey, which tracked 15,000 households across all districts, the study shows that remittances from abroad are contributing to increased consumption of protein-rich foods like milk, meat and pulses, as well as a higher intake of fruits and vegetables. The findings point to a double-edged shift: along with healthier diets, there is a rising consumption of processed and ready-to-eat foods—especially in urban areas.

“Migration doesn't just bring money home—it brings ideas, habits, and changes in aspirations,” said Sharma. “We’re seeing how exposure to global food cultures is leaving a mark on household food preferences back in Kerala,” he added.

The study goes beyond mere correlation, employing advanced econometric models to isolate the causal impact of migration. One of the most striking insights is how both income (through remittances) and information (through cultural exposure) are driving these dietary changes.

Return migrant households—those where a migrant has come back—were found to have better dietary diversity than even current non-migrant families, despite often having lower incomes. This suggests that behavioural shifts persist long after migration ends.

Interestingly, in rural Kerala, migrant families also reported lower spending on items like tobacco and alcohol, pointing to broader lifestyle changes linked to migration.

But the researchers caution that not all changes are beneficial. The increased consumption of processed foods highlights the need for public health awareness and policy interventions. “This is a moment for targeted nutrition policies that amplify the positive outcomes of migration while managing its unintended consequences,” said Batra.

With India continuing to experience large-scale outmigration—especially from southern states like Kerala—the study urges policymakers, local governments and health organisations to account for these nuanced effects in designing food security and public health strategies.

Migration, the study concludes, is more than just a livelihood strategy. It’s a powerful force reshaping how families live and eat—one remittance at a time.