Abstract
The study of internal migration serves to understand and explain the spatial processes and structural transformations in the country. In this context, it becomes relevant and important to determine who moves in space and which regions increase in size. Internal migration is traditionally seen in the context of urbanization: structural changes in cities are turning them into places that are attractive to migrants from rural areas.The purpose of this article is to identify and comparatively analyze the internal migrants’ motives for moving to the largest cities of the country, in particular, to Almaty, Nur-Sultan, Shymkent. In the study, the method of respondent-driven sampling was used to collect data. The target audience is internal migrants aged 18 and over. The total sample size is 1200 people. The results of the study show that a significant proportion of migratory movements to the largest cities is determined by socio-economic motives, primarily the search for a job, admission to a higher educational institution, the desire to improve living conditions and ensure the future of children. There were no significant differences in the motives for moving internal migrants to these cities. The conclusions can later be used to predict and take certain measures of migration policy and urban management. Key words: city, internal migrants, largest city, migration, motives for moving, village.