Changing Populations » Migration Types

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Different types of migration and key terminology
Push and pull factors influencing migration decisions
Voluntary and forced migration patterns
Internal and international migration examples
Case studies of migration from different world regions
Impacts of migration on source and host areas

Introduction to Migration Types

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another with the intention of settling temporarily or permanently in a new location. It's one of the most significant processes shaping population patterns around the world today. Understanding different types of migration helps us make sense of why people move and what happens when they do.

Key Definitions:

Migration: The movement of people from one place to another with the intention of settling.
Immigrant: A person who moves into a new country.
Emigrant: A person who leaves their country to live elsewhere.
Net migration: The difference between immigration and emigration in an area.
Refugee: Someone forced to leave their country due to war, persecution, or natural disaster.
Asylum seeker: Someone who has applied for protection as a refugee but whose claim hasn't been decided.

Types of Migration

🏠 Internal Migration

Movement within the same country or region. This includes:

Rural-urban migration: Moving from countryside to cities
Urban-rural migration: Moving from cities to countryside
Inter-urban migration: Moving between cities
Intra-urban migration: Moving within the same city

🌎 International Migration

Movement between different countries. This includes:

Emigration: Leaving your home country
Immigration: Arriving in a new country
Return migration: Going back to your country of origin
Chain migration: Following family members who migrated earlier

Voluntary vs Forced Migration

Migration can be categorised based on whether people choose to move or are forced to leave.

👍 Voluntary Migration

When people choose to move for better opportunities:

Economic migrants seeking better jobs
Students moving for education
Retirement migration to warmer climates
Lifestyle migration for better quality of life

🚨 Forced Migration

When people are compelled to move against their will:

Refugees fleeing war or persecution
Environmental migrants escaping disasters
Victims of human trafficking
People displaced by development projects

Push and Pull Factors

Migration is driven by factors that either push people away from their original location or pull them toward a new destination.

🚪 Push Factors

Unemployment
Political instability
War and conflict
Natural disasters
Persecution
Poor healthcare
Food insecurity

🚩 Pull Factors

Job opportunities
Higher wages
Better education
Political freedom
Safety and security
Better healthcare
Family connections

⛔ Barriers to Migration

Immigration laws
Physical distance
Cost of moving
Language barriers
Cultural differences
Family ties at home

Patterns of Migration

Temporary vs Permanent Migration

Migration can be classified by how long people intend to stay in their new location:

⌛ Temporary Migration

Seasonal migration: Moving for part of the year (e.g., farm workers)
Circular migration: Regular movement between places
Contract migration: Moving for a specific job contract

🏠 Permanent Migration

One-way movement with intention to settle
Often involves obtaining citizenship
Usually includes family relocation

Case Study Focus: Syrian Refugee Crisis

Since 2011, the Syrian civil war has created one of the largest refugee crises in recent history:

Over 6.6 million Syrians have fled their country
Main host countries include Turkey (3.6 million), Lebanon (1.5 million) and Jordan (1.3 million)
About 1 million have sought asylum in Europe
Push factors: war, violence, persecution, destroyed infrastructure
Challenges: overcrowded refugee camps, limited resources in host countries, integration difficulties
Many children have missed years of education

This represents a clear example of forced migration due to conflict, with significant impacts on both the refugees themselves and the host countries.

Economic Migration Case Study: Polish Migration to the UK

After Poland joined the European Union in 2004, a significant wave of Polish migrants moved to the UK:

By 2015, over 900,000 Polish-born people were living in the UK
Push factors: High unemployment in Poland (19% in 2004), lower wages
Pull factors: Higher wages in UK, job opportunities, established Polish communities
Impacts on Poland: Brain drain, labour shortages, remittances (money sent home)
Impacts on UK: Filled labour shortages, cultural diversity, pressure on services in some areas

Internal Migration: Rural-Urban Migration in China

China has experienced the largest internal migration in human history:

Since the 1980s, over 280 million rural Chinese have moved to cities
Push factors: Limited farmland, few rural opportunities, mechanisation reducing farm jobs
Pull factors: Factory jobs, higher urban wages, better services and education
The hukou system (household registration) has created challenges for migrants who often lack full access to urban services
Many children are left behind with grandparents in rural areas while parents work in cities

Impacts of Migration

🏠 Source Area Impacts

Positive:

Reduced population pressure
Remittances boost local economy
New skills when migrants return
Reduced unemployment

Negative:

Loss of young, skilled workers (brain drain)
Gender imbalance if mostly men leave
Family separation
Declining services as population falls

🌃 Host Area Impacts

Positive:

Fills labour shortages
Cultural diversity and new ideas
Younger population structure
Economic growth

Negative:

Pressure on housing and services
Integration challenges
Possible social tensions
Wage depression in some sectors

Migration Management

Countries use various approaches to manage migration:

Points-based systems: Selecting migrants based on skills, education and language (e.g., Australia, Canada)
Quotas: Limiting numbers from certain countries or for certain visa types
Border controls: Physical barriers and checks at entry points
Integration policies: Language classes, cultural orientation and employment support
International agreements: Refugee conventions and free movement areas (like the EU)

Key Migration Statistics

In 2020, there were approximately 281 million international migrants worldwide (3.6% of global population)
Europe hosts the largest number of international migrants (87 million)
The United States is the top destination country (51 million migrants)
India has the largest diaspora population (18 million Indians living abroad)
Women make up 48% of all international migrants
Refugees and asylum seekers account for about 10% of all international migrants

Summary: Key Points About Migration Types

Migration can be internal (within a country) or international (between countries)
People migrate voluntarily for better opportunities or are forced to move due to conflict, persecution, or disasters
Push factors drive people away from their homes; pull factors attract them to new locations
Migration has significant impacts on both source and host areas
Migration patterns are influenced by historical connections, economic differences and government policies
Understanding migration types helps explain population changes and plan for future needs

🧠 Test Your Knowledge!