1.3: Migration

Key Terms

• Migration – the movement of people across a specified boundary – national or international – and living there for a year or more.

  
  

• Voluntary migration – the movement of people is usually voluntary and often involves looking, and hoping for, a better quality of life and standard of living at the new destination.

  
  

• Involuntary migration – the forced migration of people or individuals who usually do not know where their destination will be or what their quality and standard of living will be like.

  
  

• Internal migration – the movement of people within a country, which may be from rural to urban or from urban to rural.

  
  

• International migration – the movement of people from one country to another country to live and work for a year or more.

  
  

• Immigration – moving into a country from another country.

  
  

• Emigration – leaving (moving out) of one’s own country.

  
  

• Net migration – the difference between immigration and emigration is known as net migration.

  
  

• Asylum seeker – a person who has left their country of origin for fear of persecution. They have asked for permission to stay in another country and are waiting for a decision on this.

  Example: people leaving conflict in South-East Asia, arriving by boat from Indonesia to seek asylum in Australia.

  
  

• Refugee – a person who has been forced to leave their country of origin in fear for their life. They run away often with no idea where they will end up and with no permission to stay in another country.

  Example: Palestine-Israel, Sri Lankan LTTE, Iraq civil war, Afghanistan terrorism.

  
  

• International migrant – a person who moves to live and work in a different country for at least a year. If they move for better work, they are called economic migrants.

  
  

• National migrant – a person who moves to live and work in another place within the same country.

  
  

• Illegal migrant – a person who enters a country to live and work there without permission.

  
  
  
  

Push and Pull Factors

The nature of push and pull factors varies from country to country (and from person to person) and changes over time.

• Push factors are negative conditions at the point of origin which encourage or force people to move.

  
  

• Pull factors are positive conditions at the point of destination which encourage people to migrate.

Push factors

• Adverse climatic conditions

  
  

• Natural disasters (drought, famine)

  
  

• Social upheaval

  
  

• Poor employment

  
  

• Low income

  
  

• Intolerance

  
  

• Housing shortages

  
  

• Poor educational opportunities

  
  

• War with another country

  
  

• Civil war

  
  

Pull factors

• Amenities

  
  

• Attractive environment

  
  

• High standard of living

  
  

• Job prospects

  
  

• High wages

  
  

• Improved housing

  
  

• Tolerance

  
  

• Better medical facilities

  
  

• Chance of better education

• Family or friends may have already moved

  
  

• Safety

  
  
  
  

Migration

Forced migration and voluntary migration – In voluntary migration, the individual has a free choice about whether to migrate or not. In forced migration, people are made to move against their will. The abduction and transport of Africans to the Americas as slaves was the largest forced migration in history.

Barriers or Problems in International Migration

• The cost of travel can be high

  
  

• High cost of visa

  
  

• There are legal restrictions

  
  

• Cultural differences – language, way of life

  
  

Most people prefer their own country because:

• Existing job and work contacts

  
  

• Family and friends are near

  
  

• Familiar surroundings and culture

  
  

• Living costs may be lower

  
  

Migrants may return home:

• With capital to start a business

  
  

• With new skills and qualifications

  
  

• If they have difficulty settling overseas

  
  

• When they retire

  
  

• If they are forced to return for legal reasons

  
  
  
  

Emigration

Advantages of Emigration – the Source (Origin) Country

• Reduced unemployment

  
  

• Benefits from the remittance (payments) sent back

  
  

• Returning migrants bring new skills to the country

  
  

• Returning migrants increase social expectations

  
  

• Returning migrants have high purchasing power

  
  

• Increased investments in projects like buildings

  
  

Disadvantages of Emigration (Moving Out of a Country)

• There are disproportionate numbers of females left behind

  
  

• The non-return migrants cause an imbalance in the population pyramid

  
  

• The departure of youth causes a loss of cultural leadership

  
  

• The loss of people with business and political skills

  
  
  
  

Immigration

Advantages of Immigration (Destination – Moving Into a Country)

• Economic migrants tend to take up less desirable jobs

  
  

• Gain skilled people at a low cost

  
  

• Can pay low wages

  
  

• Will work long hours

  
  

• Cost of retirement transferred back to the home country

  
  

• Creation of a multi-cultured society (lifestyle, dress, tradition, food)

• Fresh ideas and intelligent people in research and development institutions

  
  

• Young talents in the field of sports, culture, etc.

  
  

Disadvantages of Immigration

• The cost of education for migrants’ children

  
  

• Fewer jobs for unskilled workers

  
  

• May move back once money is earned

  
  

• Amenities problems – hospitals, schools, etc., with an extra number of people

  
  

• There is an overdependence of some industries on migrant labour

  
  

• Discrimination against ethnic groups may lead to civil war (Indonesia, 1997-98)

  
  

• The loss of aspects of cultural identity, particularly among second-generation migrants

  
  

• Segregated areas of similar ethnic groups are created (Singapore – Little India)

Written by Zemen

Edited by Krithigka Gobbi