Mumbai has long been known as India’s city of opportunity. As the country’s financial capital, it has attracted migrants for decades from across Maharashtra and other parts of India. However, a new academic study has raised serious concerns about the growing impact of undocumented migration, warning that the city’s infrastructure and public services are being stretched beyond capacity.
The study, titled Illegal Immigration to Mumbai: An Analysis of Socio-Economic and Political Consequences, points to a steady rise in undocumented migrants, particularly from Bangladesh and Myanmar, as a key factor adding pressure on housing, transport, healthcare, and civic systems in Mumbai.
Research Based on Large-Scale Fieldwork
The study has been conducted by Professor Medha Tapiawala from the Mumbai School of Economics and Public Policy, along with Souvik Mondal, Assistant Professor at Galgotias University. Their findings are based on an extensive research process that included a survey of more than 3,000 respondents living in migrant-dominated areas of Mumbai.
The research was carried out between July 2024 and July 2025 and combined multiple methods such as qualitative interviews, case studies, and focus group discussions. According to the authors, this mixed-method approach helped capture both statistical trends and lived realities within migrant communities.
Documented Migrants Boost Growth, Undocumented Migration Raises Challenges
One of the key observations in the report is that documented migrants have played a positive role in Mumbai’s economic growth. Migrants make up an estimated 43 per cent of the city’s population, and many contribute actively to industries such as construction, manufacturing, transport, and domestic services.
However, the study clearly distinguishes between documented and undocumented migration. While legal migrants are largely absorbed into the formal economy, undocumented migrants pose several governance and planning challenges, mainly because they operate outside official systems.
The report notes that the rising number of undocumented residents has intensified demand for affordable housing, overcrowded public transport, and already strained healthcare facilities.
Migration, Not Birth Rate, Driving Population Growth
Addressing a commonly debated issue, the study states that Mumbai’s population growth cannot be explained by birth rates alone. According to researcher Souvik Mondal, undocumented migration has become a major contributor to the increase in population in certain pockets of the city.
He explained that the movement of people into Mumbai especially those without legal documentation has accelerated in recent years due to economic distress, political instability, and limited job opportunities in neighbouring regions.
Demographic Shifts Highlighted in the Report
The study also looks at demographic changes to support its argument. Census data shows that Mumbai’s Hindu population share declined from about 90 per cent in 1951 to around 65 per cent in 2011, while the Muslim population increased by roughly 10 percentage points during the same period.
The authors clarify that these figures are presented to highlight demographic trends rather than to assign blame. Still, they argue that migration patterns both internal and cross-border have played a role in reshaping the city’s population structure over several decades.
Who Are the Undocumented Migrants?
According to the report, undocumented migrants include individuals who:
- Overstayed their visas
- Entered India through unauthorised border crossings
- Became part of the informal labour market without legal registration
The findings show that 67 per cent of undocumented migrants were men, while 33 per cent were women, confirming that the migration wave is largely male-dominated and driven by labour demand in low-paying sectors.
Another striking statistic is that over 96 per cent of the surveyed undocumented migrants identified as Muslim, and 41.6 per cent were illiterate, limiting their access to better-paying jobs and formal employment opportunities.
Impact on Housing, Transport, and Healthcare
The study warns that the concentration of undocumented migrants in specific neighbourhoods has led to overcrowded housing, expansion of informal settlements, and increased pressure on basic amenities such as water and sanitation.
Public transport systems, already operating near capacity, are facing additional stress due to rising daily commuter numbers. Healthcare services, particularly government hospitals and clinics, are also seeing heavier patient loads, making access more difficult for long-term residents.
Urban planners quoted in the study caution that without updated data and targeted policies, Mumbai could face deeper infrastructure stress in the coming years.
Call for Data-Driven Policy Responses
Rather than advocating extreme measures, the researchers stress the need for data-driven policymaking. They recommend better coordination between central and state governments, improved border management, and stronger systems to identify and document migrants.
The study also highlights the importance of investing in affordable housing, education, and skill development to prevent further marginalisation of migrant populations.
A Complex Issue Demanding Balanced Solutions
Mumbai’s history is deeply tied to migration, and experts agree that the city’s growth would not have been possible without it. However, this new study underlines that unchecked and undocumented migration presents real challenges that cannot be ignored.
As policymakers debate next steps, the report serves as a reminder that solutions must balance economic needs, humanitarian concerns, and urban sustainability. For Mumbai, the challenge lies not in closing doors, but in managing growth responsibly to protect the city’s future.
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