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CAUSES OF MIGRATION AND ITS EFFECTS

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 2nd INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
"GLOBAL MIGRATION PHENOMENON"
With Its Security, Economic, Social, Political and Cultural Dimensions

CAUSES OF MIGRATION AND ITS EFFECTS

Cüneyt TELSAÇ 1
1
Doctorant, Yüzüncü Yıl University, FEAS, Public Administration, Van, Turkey.
1
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4133-4846
Özlem YÜKSEK TELSAÇ 2
2
Teacher, Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü, Vakıfbank Primary School, Van, Turkey.
2
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1063-8919

ABSTRACT
The phenomenon of migration has a background as old as the history of humanity and a powerful
dynamic that has a great place in the social memory of people. The migration journey of mankind which
started from the first ages, witnessed the individual and mass migration actions of people who moved to
survive in better conditions compared to their current life in their geography. In ancient times, when the
concept of property was not yet known in terms of social acceptance, migrations emerged mostly due to
shelter, disaster, security and not being able to reach enough food. The constantly changing and adapting
structure of human beings to new conditions has also caused the reasons for migration to change over
time. With the adoption of settled life, the concepts of city and state emerged, and in line with this
development, the boundaries determined by the sovereign power and the rules determined by the power
holding the authority to live within those boundaries came to the fore. This set of rules has led to the
emergence of political and social factors related to the causes of migration.
In today's world, where transportation and communication opportunities are increasing day by day, there
is an international migration movement that has a constantly increasing trend throughout the world with
its processes involving multidimensional variables such as political, economic, social and
environmental. Many thinkers considering the age we live in as the "age of migrations". Migration
mobility; it not only threatens the political, social and economic structures of the receiving, sending and
transiting countries, but also closely concerns their national sovereignty and national security.
In this study, using extensive literature review and observation methods; identifications regarding the
causes of migration were made and the effects of migration were discussed in the light of the findings.
Keywords: Causes of Migration, Economic, Political, Demographic, Social, Climatic.

INTRODUCTION
The phenomenon of migration is increasingly maintaining its place on the agenda day by day.
Experienced economic, political, demographic, social and environmental developments keep
international migration alive. Due to the fact that global warming cannot be stopped and the average
world temperature increases and melts the glaciers in the polar region, a stronger disaster and natural
causes title has been added to these factors. In addition, endless political instability and wars are the
biggest reasons for forced migration in the last ten years. Although there are many reasons why people
want to go from where they are to another place, they are mostly carried out with the hope of a better
life. While internal migrations have a relatively voluntary nature, international migrations usually occur
under compulsory or undesirable conditions.
Migration is an area of great interest to interdisciplinary researchers due to its multifaceted dimensions.
Due to the dynamic structure of migration, its factors and effects differ. Migration is not just an area of
interest for researchers. States also tend not to be unprepared for migration and to produce policies for
a sustainable migration management. In this respect, a large number of international cooperations are
made. Migration is not only the problem of the destination country, but also causes great changes in

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With Its Security, Economic, Social, Political and Cultural Dimensions

terms of origin and transit countries. States may be less or more exposed to immigration due to their
location. For example; it is inevitable that countries with low social and economic development,
underdeveloped human rights and countries with internal conflicts or on a migration route will encounter
the reality of migration.
In order for migration to take place, there are often factors that push people to migrate and attract them
to the place they try to go. In this study, using literature review and observation methods; evaluations
make about the reasons that push people to migrate and the effects it creates.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
To make a general definition for migration: It can be expressed as the movement of people in order to
live in a place other than where they are. Although migration is as old as human history in origin, it is a
development whose effects have been increasing continuously since the first dates. The migration
journey of humankind continues to the present day with individual and mass migration actions that
change places in order to find the conditions that they think are better than their current life in their
geography or that they hope for.
It is seen that different disciplines regarding migration make different definitions. According to this;
while geographers prioritize the "time" and "space" factors related to migration, sociologists consider
the social outcomes of the migration movement; on the other hand, we see that economists develop their
own definitions by considering the effects of migration on the market (Yılmaz, et al., 2020:287).
The concept of migration, which we can express as an act of displacement, is when we look at the current
dictionary of the Turkish Language Association: “The act of moving individuals or communities from
one country to another, from one settlement to another settlement, relocation, emigration for economic,
social and political reasons” (TDK, 2022). Another widely used definition is “the movement of a person
or group of across an international border or within a state. It is the population movements in which
people move regardless of their duration, structure and reason. This includes the migration of refugees,
displaced persons, economic migrants, people moving for different purposes such as family
reunification” (IOM, 2013).
Migration can take place within or outside the borders of the country, singularly or in mass, voluntary
or compulsory. Migration; It is also divided into concepts such as origin, destination and place of transit.
In addition, when migration is evaluated geographically, it is defined differently as internal migration
within the borders of the country (national) and immigration from abroad to that country or from that
country to another country (international). Moving people from rural areas to other cities with better
facilities and opportunities in urban areas within the same country or region, like moving from cities to
rural areas for a more comfortable lifestyle and less pollution is also considered as migration. Settling
permanently or leaving the country of origin for a certain period of time and going to another country is
defined as international migration, while moving to another region or city within the country for the
purpose of residence is accepted as internal migration (Yılmaz and Telsaç, 2021: 33).
Another definition difference that is frequently made regarding migration is made for the concepts of
regular and irregular migration. According to this, regular migration is defined as the short-term or long-
term stay of individuals in any country or in different regions of their own country, within the framework
of legal permissions, while passing through the territory of the country they transit through. The clear
indication of this definition is whether it is done legally or not. For example, academics, university
students, people who want to live a more comfortable life in other countries after retirement fit this
definition. However, another of the definitions, which is not realized on a legal basis and is frequently
mentioned together with the concept of migration, is the concept of irregular migration. Accordingly, it
can be considered as illegally entering a country, staying in a country illegally, or not leaving the country
despite entering legally, in the following period despite the expiry of the legal period. Another definition
of migration is the assessment made in terms of deciding to migrate. According to this; there are classes
such as forced migration, voluntary migration, labor migration and brain drain depending on the quality
of the immigrants (Yılmaz and Telsaç, 2021:37; Arslan, 2021:5).

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With Its Security, Economic, Social, Political and Cultural Dimensions

CAUSES OF MIGRATION AND ITS IMPACT

In order to understand the reasons for migration, looking at history often gives an idea. Migration is a
phenomenon that dates back to the first periods of history in terms of its roots. The desire of people to
live in better conditions and their endless curiosity have led to the geographical displacement of human
beings (Schmeidl, 1997). Throughout history, individual or mass human movements have various
reasons and still maintains about its dynamic structure even today. Migration movements have been
effective enough to trigger the displacement of existing labor and capital depending on the developments
in borders, industrial revolutions, geographical structure and technology. Migration mobility has
accelerated in our globalizing world due to the increasing number of transportation and communication
opportunities.
Elements related to the emergence of migration may show similar (economic, climatic, demographic),
as well as completely different and specific to that region (political, social) reasons (Black et al., 2011:4;
Ağır and Sezik, 2015: 97). For example, factors such as the environment we live in, the availability of
an ecosystem, or the possibility of exposure to danger can be decisive. In general, individual migration
decisions are affected by many reasons, and these reasons can mostly depend on climate, economic,
political, social, and demographic factors (Raleigh, 2011: 82-93, Black et al., 2011 :3-11; Atmaca,
2020:65- 66).
Economic Factors
Poverty is the main trigger of numerous social problems. People can make illegal attempts to shelter and
feed. Basically, such initiatives create huge income inequalities and deepen the problem. Unfortunately,
there is a linear relationship between income status and health. It becomes almost impossible for people
who cannot earn enough income to receive the health services they deserve.
Its economic reasons (Arsenault, 2011: 6-7; Haas, 2011: 62; Hear, et al.,2012: 19; Praussello, 2011: 3-
4; Raleigh, 2011: 82-87; Black et al., 2011:3):
 Inability to reach enough food,
 Lack of clean water skis,
 Unemployment,
 Lack of job security,
 Provision of health services,
 Deep poverty,
We can express it as.
If it is necessary to make an assessment based on economic reasons; it should be noted that issues such
as lack of access to food, inaccessibility to health services, inaccessibility to clean water, insufficient
wages, lack of job security, and unfair distribution of income trigger international migration movements.
Migration due to economic reasons also creates strong effects. These effects directly affect the economy
of both the origin country and the destination country. For example, the employee supply for the target
country increases, and wages decrease due to this reason. A similar effect is experienced in rental houses
and offices of the target country. Because, in line with the rising demand, rents increase at the same rate.
It is also possible to talk about the existence of a placebo effect caused by immigration in the rise of
rents. It also creates negative effects for the country of origin. For example, areas that have lost
population are difficult to develop and sometimes ghost villages and towns appear.
Political Reasons
It constitutes a large part of the migration movements occurring on a global scale. Factors such as human
rights violations due to political reasons, persecution, restriction of personal freedoms, inequalities, lack
of judicial independence and military coups constitute the main reasons for migration movements. But
unfortunately, the most dominant actor of political reasons is wars. Wars that cause great migration
movements are also one of the main reasons for forced migration.

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With Its Security, Economic, Social, Political and Cultural Dimensions

Political reasons (Black et al., 2011: 3; More and Shallman, 2014: 723; Praussello, 2011: 4-5; Raleigh,
2011: 85):
 Wars,
 Freedom of expression,
 Individual freedoms,
 Military coups,
 Inequalities,
 Persecution,
It is possible to specify as.
Wars are the leading cause of large-scale migration movements that affect the world the most. Migration
due to war is mostly in the form of forced migration and most of the immigrants are hosted as temporary
asylum seekers or conditional refugees. This situation causes great economic and social damage to both
the target country and the transit countries. In line with the human rights convention and the decisions
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, these immigrants are provided with shelter,
food, health and security services. However, mostly developed countries are reluctant to share the
current refugee burden. Political migration is a serious problem, especially for countries in troubled
geographies. For example, Turkey hosts millions of refugees in this sense. People who migrate for
political reasons start to form a diaspora where they go. This formation has consequences that can be
effective in taking many political decisions over time.
Demographic Factors
The average age of the population in terms of demographic factors; can negatively affect job and
workforce opportunities. High fertility rates and the incidence of infectious diseases can also cause
migration. In terms of both international and internal migration, the role of the human factor, especially
the role of family and household relations, in migration decisions is clearly is seen. Migration may be a
choice for people with a high population living together in relatively small houses, sharing limited space
with many siblings and family members.
Demographic factors (Arsenault, 2011: 6-7; Praussello, 2011: 4-5; Raleigh, 2011: 85):
 Population,
 The average age,
 Birthrate,
 Mortality rates,
 Marriage,
 Family,
We can express it as.
Demographic structure creates significant differences in impact. For example, while losing the young
population is a big problem for the country of origin, it can provide an advantage in terms of supplying
the workforce needed for the target country.
Social Factors
There is a wide range of social factors that cause migration. Many reasons such as people's desire to be
with their families or relatives who have migrated before, the fact that the target country speaks the same
language, the geographies they feel close to them culturally and socially, the desire to get a better
education, and freedom of belief can be examined under this heading.
Social factors (More and Shallman, 2014: 723; Haas, 2011; Raleigh, 2011: 82-92):

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"GLOBAL MIGRATION PHENOMENON"
With Its Security, Economic, Social, Political and Cultural Dimensions

 Belief,
 Education,
 Kinship,
 Marriage,
 Common culture,
 Gender,
 Heritage,
It is possible to specify as.
Although social factors related to the causes of migration may have similar effects to political factors,
their strong common point is that they form a diaspora in the destination country. In addition, it should
be noted that under this heading, brain drain indicates a positive situation for the destination country,
but a detrimental situation for the country of origin.
Natural Factors
Changing climatic conditions caused by global warming have a great impact on natural factors. We have
seen floods, fires, droughts, earthquakes and similar disasters of a type and extent that mankind has not
encountered before. Natural factors have created reasons for migration throughout history, but a
significant increase has been observed in the last 20 years. In particular, this increase has an impact on
internal migration.
Natural factors (Praussello, 2011; Raleigh, 2011: 83-86; Schmeidl 1997):
 Drought,
 Volcanic eruptions,
 Sudden climate changes,
 Flood,
 Landslide,
 Earthquake,
 Tsunami,
It is possible to specify as.
Migration due to natural causes occurs especially as internal migration and creates regional effects.
These effects are often return as unemployment and poverty. The low soil fertility of the place where
they live, the difficulty of living geographically, the difficulty of accessing resources such as food,
energy and water are also other issues that can be evaluated under this heading.

CONCLUSION
In many parts of the world, there is no possibility of accessing clean fresh water resources due to global
warming. This situation creates a very serious public health problem in underdeveloped countries. Clean
water networks cannot be established due to the lack of opportunities and budgets of central or local
governments. In addition, this problem has become chronic due to mismanagement (corruption,
degeneration). Difficult access to water resources is also a major problem in terms of agriculture and
restricts people's adequate access to agricultural food. Lack of access or difficult access to clean water
forces the local residents of the region to migrate after a while.
Unemployment is one of the biggest problems of our age. The fact that in the near future many lines of
work carried out by humans will be made by machines; is exacerbates this problem. Unemployment is

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"GLOBAL MIGRATION PHENOMENON"
With Its Security, Economic, Social, Political and Cultural Dimensions

the main trigger of many problems. Accordingly, poverty that develops due to unemployment makes
life very difficult. One of the repercussion effects of unemployment is the emergence of a low job supply
against a large workforce. In such cases, wages of workers fall to a very low level and workers are forced
to work without insurance without job security. Such situations and people's hopes for a better standard
of living can makes the factors of migration.
Some societies can be closed to different beliefs and thoughts. In such societies, the tendency to
marginalize and exclude unwanted people is often seen. From a social point of view, restrictions on
freedom of expression, freedom of belief, and personal rights and freedoms of individuals constitute
reasons for migration. The recent history of our world is unfortunately full of wars. War is a great
demolition that affects people of all ages materially and spiritually. When we look at the last decade,
most of the people who migrated have had to leave their places of residence either for this reason or
because of the internal turmoil and violence that took place in their countries.
Humankind's report on nature conservation is full of minuses. it seems the concept of sustainable
development only happens in books and journals. The natural heritage that should be passed on to future
generations is almost destroyed. Global warming is causing unprecedented climatic events. We are
seeing great floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and sudden climate changes that we have never
seen before. Desertification of the world brings with it a great shortage of fresh water and drought. All
these natural disasters are major a migration triggers.
Migration continues to create human movements of unavoidable magnitude. International cooperation
on migration is of great importance. There is a need for dynamic policies in terms of receiving and
sending migration country. Migration should not be a problem only for the receiving country. Collective
efforts should be made for a solution. Today, a large part of migration takes place in the form of forced
migration and these people are need serious financial and moral support. A good understanding of the
reasons that trigger migration is very important in terms of solving the problem at its source. The best
solution to a problem is possible by eliminating its causes before it has occurred.

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With Its Security, Economic, Social, Political and Cultural Dimensions

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