MIGRATION

Key words:

Migration: the movement of people from one place to live in another

Emigration: the movement of people out of a country (exit)

Emigrants are people who leave a country.

Immigration: the movement of people into a country. When people migrate, they emigrate from one
place and immigrate into another.

Immigrants are people who arrive in a country.

Internal migration: the movement of people from one area to another within the boundaries of a
country.

International migration: the movement of people from one country to another country.

Net migration: the number of immigrants-the number of emigrants. If more people come in than go
out, the net migration is a positive figure. If more people leave than come in, it is a negative figure.

Population growth (or decline) is the natural change + net migration.

Asylum seekers: people who have been moved across international borders in search of protection but
who’s claim for refugee status has not yet been determined.

Refugee: a person residing outside of his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to
return because of a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality or political
affiliation. Note that people have the right to seek refugee status in a foreign country. However, the
country in which they seek refugee status does not necessarily have to take them in.

Migration can take many different forms. Migrations are either internal (within the country) or
international (from one country to another).

They can be further classified as voluntary (where the individual decides to move) or
involuntary/forced (where there is little choice but to move). Below is a summary of the different types
of migration. (also read Complete Geography pg 17-18 or pg 31-32- push and pull factors and voluntary
international migration

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DRAW:
A classification of migration
Migration Push and Pull Factors

The reasons that people migrate would be due to push and pull factors. Push factors are things which
encourage people to leave their homes and migrate and they are always negative. Pull factors are things
which draw people to the places they migrate to and they are always positive.

Push factors include:

1. Not enough jobs in your country;

2. Low wages in your country;
3. Few opportunities in your country;
4. Poor educational opportunities in your country;
5. Desertification;
6. Famine/drought;
7. Political fear/persecution in your country;
8. Civil war and lawlessness in your country;
9. Poor medical care and health facilities in your country;
10. Loss of wealth;
11. Natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions.

Push factors include:

1. Job opportunities;
2. Higher wages;
3. Better living conditions;
4. Political and/or religious freedom;
5. Better quality of education;
6. Better medical care;
7. Better security;
8. Better standard of living;
9. Friends and family have already moved there;
10. Lower levels of crime and safety from conflict.

Remember to develop each of these points in relation to the question in order to earn full marks.

Learning tip: A Push factor is usually a Pull factor in the negative and vice versa.
DRAW:
Summary of Push and Pull Factors
 Push and pull factors can be economic, political, cultural, and environmentally based. The following
table outlines these factors:

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Factors which influence Migration

Factors of Migration Push Factors Pull Factors

People think about emigrating from People immigrate to places where the jobs
places that have few job opportunities. seem to be available. An area that has
Because of economic restructuring, valuable natural resources, such as
job prospects often vary from one petroleum or uranium, may attract miners
ECONOMIC
country to another and within regions and engineers. A new industry may lure
of the same country. factory workers, technicians, and
scientists.

Forced international migration has Political conditions can also operate as pull
historically occurred for two main factors, especially the lure of freedom.
cultural reasons: slavery and political
instability. Millions of people were People are attracted to democratic
shipped to other countries as slaves or countries that encourage individual choice
as prisoners, especially from Africa to in education, career, and place of residence.
the Western Hemisphere.
After Communists gained control of
Wars have also forced large-scale Eastern Europe in the late 1940s, many
CULTURAL
migration of ethnic groups in the 20th people in that region were pulled toward
and 21st centuries in Europe and the democracies in Western Europe and
Africa. North America.

Another push factor would be the fear

of prosecution and these people would
be refugees and cannot return for fear
of persecution.

Migrants are pushed from their homes Attractive environments for migrants
by adverse physical conditions. include mountains, sea-sides, and warm
climates. Proximity to the Rocky
Water when either; too much or too Mountains lures Americans to the state of
little poses the most environmental Colorado, and the Alps pull French people
threat. Many people are forced to to eastern France. England, France, and
move by water-related disasters Florida attract migrants, especially retirees,
because they live in a vulnerable area, who enjoy swimming and lying on the
such as a floodplain. beach. Regions with warm winters attract
migrants from harsher/more extreme
ENVIRONMENTAL
A lack of water pushes others from climates.
their land. Hundreds of thousands
have been forced to move from the
Sahel region of northern Africa
because of their drought conditions.
The capacity of the Sahel to sustain
human life has declined because of
population growth and years of low
rainfall.
Internal Migration

Internal migration is when people move within a country and it includes:

1. Urban to rural migration is the movement from a town/city to a village. This is referred to as
counter-urbanisation which is a recent process where people are beginning to leave large urban
areas to settle in villages. This is common in MEDCs.

2. Rural to rural migration is the movement from village to village. For example, in Zimbabwe,
resettlement schemes where poor people moved to less crowded and more fertile land which was
allocated to them.

3. Rural to urban migration is the movement from a village to the nearest town/regional
city/capital city.

4. Urban to urban migration is the movement from the nearest town to regional/capital city.

The following 4 diagrams are additional information for your personal notes/reference
International Migration

This is the movement of people from one country to another. It affects both the population and the
population structure of both the region or country where the migrants are coming from and where the
migrants are moving to.

The reasons for international migration are found under voluntary and involuntary migration.
Many international migrants experience difficulties when they arrive at their new destination due to:

1) Lack of qualifications/skills/education/no experience/they have to do unskilled jobs/work

informally;
2) Many are doing low-paying jobs
3) Poor working conditions/dirty jobs/long hours/exploitation by employers
4) Many cannot speak the local language(s)
5) Some are unable to obtain employment/not enough jobs
6) Cannot afford education/healthcare/food/housing
7) Live in poor and crowded conditions/ overcrowding/lack of sanitation
8) Some may have to live far away from their families
9) Discrimination may occur/racism/Xenophobia (South Africa)
10) Some may lack documentation/have to hide from authorities
11) Trouble adapting to the culture/religion

What are the Impacts of Migration?

International migration has advantages and disadvantages to both the receiving country and the losing
country.

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ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
THE 1. Reduces pressure on jobs 1. Loses people in the economically
LOSING 2. Loses people of child- bearing age active age group
COUNTRY causing a decline in birth rate 2. Loses people most likely to have
(Source 3. Migrants develop new skills which some and/or higher levels of
country) they might take home education and skills (Brain drain)
4. Money earned abroad is sent back which can hinder the development
home. of the country
5. Migration can ease the pressure on 3. Mainly males move causing a
the environment as seen in Italy division in families, leading to the
where migration to the North has spread of HIV/AIDS through
eased the pressure on the increased sexual activity. The
environment in the South. movement of mostly males can also
Alternatively it can leave the leave behind a population of women
environment under used or wasted. of whom a large percentage will not
This would be true of built have the chance to marry and
environments. Inner city areas in potentially not have children.
Northern cities (UK) are often 4. Left with an elderly population and
abandoned as people move out thus a high death rate.
5. As more people move away from a
community the culture will
inevitably become diluted.
 THE 1. Overcomes labour shortage 1. Large numbers of migrants can put
RECEIVING 2. Immigrants are prepared to do the tremendous pressure on the
COUNTRY dirty unskilled jobs which the locals economies of the destination areas.
(Receiving do not want to do This is particularly true of rural to
Country) 3. Immigrants are prepared to work urban migration in LEDCs
long hours for low salaries (this can 2. Pressure on jobs
lead to exploitation of the 3. Low quality, overcrowded housing
immigrants) lacking in basic amenities (inner
4. Cultural exposure and diversity are city slums)
brought in and beneficial links may 4. Ethnic groups tend not to integrate
be established well and this can lead to tension and
5. Some highly skilled immigrants are incidents of violence between
received which can help in the immigrants and indigenous
development of the area population.
6. In developing countries, the 5. Racial tension which can also result
immigrants could increase the in tensions and incidents of
number of skilled workers. violence.
7. In an under populated country the 6. Language difficulties for the
increase in population can lead to a immigrants
better use of resources and therefore 7. Lack of opportunities for the
improved quality of life. immigrants to practice their own
religion.
8. Migration generally increases the
pressure on the environment as
more space is needed for housing,
resources for industry, roads.
Migration to Amazonia (Brazil) has
accelerated the destruction of the
rainforests.

➔ ACTIVITY: Can you identify which of the impacts from the table are economic, cultural,
environmental? Write them in pencil under the table.
Global Migration Patterns

The country with the largest number of immigrants is the United States while Asia, Latin America and
Africa have net-out migration. North America, Europe and Oceania have net-in migration. The three
largest flows of migrants are to Europe from Asia, to North America from Asia and from Latin America.
The Global pattern reflects the importance of migration from less developed countries to more developed
countries. Migrants from countries with relatively low incomes and high natural increase rate tend to
head for wealthier countries where job prospects are higher. The highest percentage of immigrants can
be found in the Middle East, about half of the regions’ total population is an immigrant somewhere else,
due petroleum exporting countries, immigrants are able to migrate there to perform “dirty” and
dangerous jobs on the field as immigrants or guest workers.

Asylum Seeker or Refugee: What is the difference?

The terms asylum-seeker and refugee are often confused: an asylum-seeker is someone who says he or
she is a refugee, but whose claim has not yet been definitively evaluated.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in 2024 there were
approximately 44 million refugees and 8 million asylum-seekers world-wide.

National asylum systems are there to decide which asylum-seekers actually qualify for international
protection. Those judged through proper procedures not to be refugees, nor to be in need of any other
form of international protection, can be sent back to their home countries.

The efficiency of the asylum system is key. If the asylum system is both fast and fair, then people who
know they are not refugees have little incentive to make a claim in the first place, thereby benefitting
both the host country and the refugees for whom the system is intended.

During mass movements of refugees (usually as a result of conflicts or general violence as opposed to
individual persecution), there is not - and never will be - a capacity to conduct individual asylum
interviews for everyone who has crossed the border. Nor is it usually necessary, since in such
circumstances it is generally evident why they have fled. As a result, such groups are often declared
"prima facie" refugees.
CASE STUDY EXAMPLES:

RURAL TO URBAN MIGRATION CASE STUDY: Rural areas and small towns in Calcutta, India
to Calcutta's Bustees (Shanty Towns).

Reasons for migrating:

1. Large population growth in rural areas puts more pressure on the environment.
2. Wages in Calcutta are approximately six times that of rural areas.
3. Sub-division of land passed on makes a subsistence life more difficult and reduces the assets
against which a rural inhabitant could get a loan.
4. Increased mechanisation of agriculture to feed growing population means greater rural
unemployment.
5. A large number of migrants are a consequence of natural disasters such as those faced annually
in the Monsoon season. Many migrants cross from nearby Bangladesh.
6. Indian cities receive approximately six times the investment of their rural counterparts.
7. Better medical and health care. Infant mortality is lower in Indian cities than rural areas.

➔ ACTIVITY: Identify which are Push Factors and which are Pull Factors

Consequences for area they arrive in include:

1. A chance to escape the rigid caste system that is still very strong in rural areas.
2. Higher rates of infant mortality than in the rural areas and small towns.
3. Half a million people sleeping on the streets due to lack of affordable housing.
4. Increased air pollution as the pressures of population create a need for more industry. In
addition, people use wood and charcoal for cooking which can lead to strains on the natural
wooded areas and deforestation.
5. The old water system cannot cope. Leaking pipes allow contamination to enter the water
supply. In Monsoon season, this is particularly bad as sewage infects the water.
6. Increased traffic causes greater air pollution problems. As many as 60% of the population
suffer from breathing problems.
7. Bustees have to occupy the least desirable land. This is often prone to flooding particularly
during monsoon season but also is likely to be located near industry increasing problems with
air pollution but also experiencing toxic chemical discharge.
8. Alternatively the developments could be on steep slopes increasing the chances of landslides.

Consequences for area they leave:

1. If the migrant finds work in the city then it is likely that the village he left will benefit from
money sent home. This is what every migrant dreams of but the situation in reality is usually
very different.
2. As the pressures of urbanisation increase so government expenditure on urban areas must
increase this leaves the rural areas facing an ever more difficult situation. Lack of investment
on health and welfare will have obvious effects for those left behind.
3. It is the young motivated male that is most likely to leave. This has implications for those left
behind. There will be a predominantly elderly population that will find it ever more difficult to
support themselves.
4. Whilst migration may ease some of the population pressures the high birth rates in rural areas
means the situation is deteriorating. This means a constant loss through migration with the
break up of families.
Consequences for the migrant:
1. Forced to live in squalid conditions in the bustees.
2. Often the only work available would be in the informal sector. Jobs here can include
rummaging amongst rubbish tips to find materials that can be sold for re-cycling.
3. Often feel forced to stay in the cities not wanting to face the failure of going home.
➔ INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDY 1: Summarise the following case study on
Migration from Syria into Germany and other European Union countries. Ensure
that you include place specific points (PSPs).
INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDY 2: Mexico to the United States of America

What is the situation?

There is a 2000km border between USA and Mexico and approximately 1 million Mexicans migrate to
the USA every year. Illegal migration is a huge problem for USA and Mexico resulting in the US Border
Patrol guarding the border and trying to prevent illegal immigrants. In 1995 850,000 illegal immigrants
were caught and were deported while in 2012, the Obama administration deported 409 849
undocumented immigrants which is an average of about 34 000 a month.

Impacts on Mexico:
1. The Mexican countryside has a shortage of economically active people. Many men emigrate
leaving a majority of women who have trouble finding marriage partners.
2. Young people tend to migrate leaving the old and the very young and certain villages such as
Santa Ines have lost 2/3 of its inhabitants.
3. Legal and illegal immigrants together send some $6 billion a year back to Mexico which helps
to boost the country’s economy.
4. Many people find living in rural Mexico a struggle because they have to survive with very little
money. Farmland is often overworked, and farms are small.
5. It is estimated that 10,000 people try to smuggle themselves over the border every week. One in
three get caught and those that do are likely to continue trying to cross the border at least twice
a year.

Impacts on the USA:

1. Illegal migration costs the USA millions of dollars for border patrols and prisons.
2. Many Americans believe that Mexican immigrants are a drain on the economy. They believe that
migrant workers keep wages low which affects Americans.
3. However other people believe that Mexican migrants benefit the economy by working for low
wages. Mexican culture has enriched the US border states with food, language and music.

PUSH factors
1. There are poor medical facilities in Mexico where the number of practicing doctors has steadily
increased over the past two decades, reaching 2.44 per thousand inhabitants in 2018 (1.89 per
1000 in 2006).
2. Low paid jobs
3. 4.43% Unemployed in 2020
4. Less economically developed country
5. Poor standard of living
6. High crime rates

PULL factors
1. Excellent medical facilities
2. Well paid jobs
3. Adult literacy rates 99% – good education prospects
4. Many jobs available for low paid workers such as Mexicans
5. More economically developed country
6. Good standard of living
MANAGING MIGRATION CASE STUDIES

Managing migration in a developed country:

• Monitoring and managing the rate of population change in a country is a key issue for any
government
• Many governments try to manage migration to meet the country's changing demographic and
economic needs
• Governments can either encourage or discourage natural growth and immigration depending on
the circumstances
o When a country's economy is struggling, immigration rules often become harder
o Whereas economic booms lead to immigration rules being easier to encourage workers
to come to the country
• Successful management of migration needs to:
o maximise the positive benefits of migration to both the host country and country of
origin
o prevent illegal migration through border controls
o promote legal migration channels

UK's management of immigration since 1950

• After the end of the Second World War, there was a serious shortage of labour to help rebuild
the country
• The UK encouraged immigration from Commonwealth countries particularly British colonies
such as:
o Caribbean
o India
o Pakistan
o Bangladesh
• By 1971, over a million people had migrated from Commonwealth countries and the UK
implemented controls to reduce the number of future migrant arrivals

The 1990s -2016

• By the 1990s the UK found itself short of labour once again
• With the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, there was an influx of people looking for
work and a decent wage
• When the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia
joined the EU in 2004, many people from these countries made their way to the UK
• Initially, very few of these migrants intended to remain in the UK
o They intended to return home after they had made enough money
• The majority of these migrants were young (aged between 18-34 years) and half came from
Poland
• During the 2009 recession, job opportunities began drying up and many Eastern Europeans
returned to their country of origin

Post Brexit
• Free movement within the EU meant that the UK had no control over its borders for the
immigration of people from the EU
• Many UK nationals began blaming these economic migrants for taking their jobs and abusing
the UK's benefits system
• With net immigration running at 300,000 a year, the control of immigration was one of the key
issues in the UK's Referendum to leave the EU in 2016
 • However, critics of immigration to the UK ignore the fact that:
o migrants contribute to the economy through paid taxes and do the jobs others don't want
o many migrants are employed in low-paid, menial jobs such as factories, hotels, farming
and care homes
o migrants may have a strong work ethic which benefits employers, although some
employers exploit this
o less than 5% of economic migrants receive any form of state benefit
• Today the UK operates a points-based system
• People are awarded points depending on their skills, previous income and age
• This system gives some people visas to allow them entry into the UK for work or study

Managing migration in an emerging country

• Usually, immigration into a developing or emerging country is easier than into a developed one
• This is due in part to the skills that most migrants will bring to the economy along with some
foreign investment
• Sometimes the arrangement can be reciprocal if a country relaxes its immigration policy in
favour of a particular country
• Despite the agreement on free trade between Mexico, the USA and Canada the immigration
policies are not equal and the dispute along the US and Mexican border is ongoing

Immigration into Mexico

• Since the early 16th century when the Spanish arrived in Mexico, the country has received
immigrants from Europe, Africa, the Americas (particularly the United States and Central
America), and Asia
• In 1823 permanent residency was restricted to Catholics
o This was revoked in 1860 with the establishment of the freedom of religion
• In 1909 the first comprehensive immigration law came into force, which rejected racial
discrimination
o This has been ignored by subsequent governments and racial discrimination continued
with complete exclusion or restrictions
• By 1974 racial discrimination had been abolished
• In the 20th century, Mexico became a country of refuge during WWII, the Spanish Civil War
and the Guatemalan Civil War
• Today, millions of the migrant's descendants still live in Mexico
• The Mexican constitution states that:
“Every man has the right to enter the Republic, leave it, travel through its territory and change
residence, without the need for a security letter, passport, safe conduct or other similar requirements."
• The Mexican government does control migration flows and attracts foreign investment to
contribute to economic development
• Mexico simplified its entrance and residency requirements by replacing immigrant and non-
immigrants with temporary and permanent resident
o This differentiates immigrants into those who are allowed to work and those who are
not
o It grants permanent residency to those people who are allowed to work on a point-based
system
• Despite the debate between the USA and Mexico on border issues, the largest number of
migrants into Mexico are Americans
• Most who come from the USA are students, retirees, teachers, religious workers, Mexican-
Americans and spouses of Mexican citizens
• Many live in Mexico during the autumn and winter, returning to the US for spring and summer
• There are a significant number of corporate employees and executives living along the border
towns of Mexico due to NAFTA and the maquiladoras (factories) found there, although many
will live in the US and commute into Mexico daily