This article delves to provide an analysis of the consequences of international labour migration on households in Mzimba district in Malawi. Mzimba district in the Republic of Malawi is one of the persistent senders of labour migrants to Republic of South Africa. This article is based on the study that sought to examine the socio-economic impacts of labour migration on families in Mzimba district in terms of education, health, labour supply, intra family roles, norms, decision making and others. 8 villages with highest number of out migrants out of 27 villages in Mzimba district were studied. 50 respondents of households with a migrant member were randomly selected as a sample for the study. Another random sample of 20 respondents from households without migrants was selected to serve as a control group. The field data were obtained through the use of in-depth interviews, observation and focus group discussions. Secondary data were obtained mainly through library research.

The study reveals that overall, households that have migrant relatives in South Africa have experienced a change in their welfare ranging from positive change in socio-economic household conditions and or positive change in their social relations and family relations. Negative consequences of labour migration on the remaining households included loneliness especially for the spouse left at home, psycho-social problems especially children due to the absence of the fathers and low esteem that females feel when their husbands are absent to the extent of not being involved fully in familial matters. On the part of the migrant themselves, they live in untenable working conditions, often illegally and in most circumstances very unwelcome in the host country.