India, Jan. 29 -- Two-thirds of India's population still lives in villages. But for the rural youth migrating to cities for livelihood and a better life, the process of migration is extracting a huge price, the Economic Survey 2025-26 has noted.

Not just this, the migration of rural youth to urban areas is leaving the elderly alone. To stop this exodus, the rural economy has to be revived, the Survey, tabled in Parliament on January 29, 2026, stated.

"Urban India and peri-urban areas attract migrants seeking better education, health, livelihoods, services, entertainment, and perceived well-being, viewing living in the city as a success. However, cities may be reaching capacity limits, and continuous migration is unsustainable, with appr...