34 SOCIAL SCIENTIST Selection of the Sample Though emigration takes place from most parts of Kerala, there are three areas which are generally identified to be the main centres of emigration, namely Ghavakkad and suburbs (in North Kerala), Thiruvalla and suburbs (in Central Kerala), and Varkala and suburbs (in South Kerala). For purposes of our study, two villages, Elakamon near Varkala and Koipram near Thiruvalla, were selected. The sampling frame consisted of 601 households in Elakamon and 593 households in Koipram (out of the 2951 and 4119 households respectively, according to the 1971 Census), identified as households having at least one emigrant from each. For purposes of our study, we defined an *emigrant' as a person belonging to any of the sample households and employed outside India. From the sampling frame, 50 households were selected at random in each of the villages for the detailed survey. In the selected households, there were 62 emigrants from Elakamon and 74 emigrants from Koipram. The analysis is presented in the following order. The factors that determine the patterns of emigration are discussed first. The process of emigration—including the expenditure involved and methods of financing—is analysed subsequently. Finally a few observations are made on the remittances received from abroad and the economic effects of emigration on Kerala's economy. DETERMINANTS OF THE PATTERNS OF EMIGRATION We shall first examine the choice of destinations available to the emigrants and the relationship between ths typs of jobs they are able to secure abroad and their economic and educational background. Before presenting the choice of destinations of the emigrants in our sample, we may trace briefly the countries to which persons from Kerala used to emigrate in earlier periods. In the earlier decades of the present century, emigration from Kerala was mainly to South East Asian countries like Malaya Singapore, Burma and Ceylon.4 The employment opportunities in these countries in the emerging rubber plantations and in construction activities were, in those days, the main attraction of the emigrants. After these countries became independent most of the Ker-alites, along with immigrants from other parts of the world, had to leave those countries because of the newly introduced restrictions on immigration.5 Of late, the focus of emigration has therefore shifted from this region. In terms of destinations, the scope has however considerably widened for the Malayalee emigrants.