Background

Mobility has long been a coping strategy for people in order to increase their opportunities,

“driven by the desire for a better life” . Whether to find better jobs, access quality services,

escape poverty or insecurity, millions of people in Asia constantly leave their home village to

go to big cities , becoming internal migrants. Worldwide, rural youth between the ages of 15

and 24 years represent the largest group migrating to urban areas . 

In Timor-Leste, Dili City has long been a destination for internal migration. Census data shows

that 30% of the population of Dili in 2015 had not been born there. Over 70% of people who 

moved between municipalities between 2004-2010 had moved to Dili. Like in other countries, 

migrants were more likely to be young (in 2010, 43% of migrants were between 15-29 years

old and 28% between 15 and 24 ). 

This brief specifically looks at the situation and vulnerabilities of youth who have migrated to

Urban Dili (Dili City) from their home Municipality . Additionally, Belun conducted six FGDs

among young Dili City migrants . Finally, a literature review provided additional evidence to

this situation analysis.