Changing Populations » Case Study - International Migration Example

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Understand what international migration is and its key types
Explore the causes and impacts of migration using real-world examples
Study the Mexico to USA migration case study in detail
Examine push and pull factors that drive migration
Learn how to evaluate both positive and negative impacts on source and host countries

International Migration: Understanding People on the Move

International migration is one of the most significant population changes happening in our world today. Every year, millions of people cross borders to start new lives elsewhere. This movement of people shapes countries, economies and cultures in profound ways.

Key Definitions:

International Migration: The movement of people across international boundaries to live in another country for at least 12 months.
Emigration: Leaving one country to live in another.
Immigration: Moving into a new country to live there.
Net Migration: The difference between immigration and emigration (can be positive or negative).
Refugee: Someone forced to flee their country due to war, violence, or persecution.
Economic Migrant: Someone who moves primarily for better economic opportunities.

🌎 Types of Migration

Voluntary migration: When people choose to move, usually for better jobs, education, or quality of life.

Forced migration: When people are compelled to move due to conflict, persecution, natural disasters, or environmental changes.

Temporary migration: Movement for a limited time, such as seasonal work or study abroad.

Permanent migration: Long-term or lifelong relocation to another country.

📈 Migration Patterns

Rural to urban: People moving from countryside to cities (often within countries).

Urban to urban: Movement between cities, often for career advancement.

South to North: Migration from developing to developed nations.

Regional migration: Movement within geographic regions (e.g., within Europe or Southeast Asia).

Push and Pull Factors

Migration happens because of a combination of "push" factors (reasons to leave) and "pull" factors (attractions of the destination). Understanding these helps explain why people make the difficult decision to leave their home countries.

🚪 Push Factors

Economic: Unemployment, low wages, poverty
Social: Poor healthcare, education, or housing
Political: War, conflict, persecution, corruption
Environmental: Natural disasters, climate change, resource scarcity

🔁 Pull Factors

Economic: Job opportunities, higher wages, better standard of living
Social: Better healthcare, education and social services
Political: Safety, stability, democracy, freedom
Personal: Family reunification, community networks

Case Study: Mexico to USA Migration

The migration corridor between Mexico and the United States is one of the largest and most studied in the world. It provides an excellent example of the complex factors that drive international migration and its impacts on both countries.

Case Study Focus: Mexico-USA Migration

Approximately 11 million Mexican-born immigrants live in the USA, making it the largest immigrant group in the country. The history of this migration stretches back over a century but has changed significantly in recent decades.

Historical Context

Mexican migration to the USA has evolved through several phases:

1900s-1930s: Early labour migration, especially for agricultural work
1942-1964: The Bracero Program - a guest worker scheme that legally brought millions of Mexican farm workers to the USA
1970s-2000s: Increased undocumented migration alongside legal pathways
2008-Present: Declining Mexican migration (due to improved Mexican economy, stricter border enforcement and demographic changes)

Push Factors from Mexico

💰 Economic

Lower wages (average Mexican wage is about 1/5 of US wage)
Limited job opportunities
Economic crises (e.g., 1994 peso crisis)

🏢 Social

Limited access to quality education
Inadequate healthcare in rural areas
Housing challenges

🔫 Security

Drug cartel violence
Corruption
Crime in certain regions

Pull Factors to the USA

💼 Economic

Higher wages (5-6 times higher than Mexico)
More diverse job opportunities
Stronger economy and stability

🎓 Social

Better educational opportunities
Healthcare access
Social mobility possibilities

👪 Networks

Established Mexican communities
Family reunification
Cultural connections

Impacts of Mexico-USA Migration

Impacts on Mexico (Source Country)

👍 Positive Impacts

Remittances: Mexican migrants send back about $40 billion annually, supporting families and local economies
Reduced unemployment: Fewer people competing for limited jobs
Skills transfer: Returning migrants bring new skills and ideas
Business creation: Some migrants return to start businesses with capital earned abroad

👎 Negative Impacts

Brain drain: Loss of educated and skilled workers
Family separation: Social costs when families are divided
Dependency: Some communities become dependent on remittances
Population decline: Some rural areas lose significant portions of their working-age population

Impacts on USA (Host Country)

👍 Positive Impacts

Labour supply: Fills gaps in industries like agriculture, construction and services
Economic growth: Contributes to GDP through work, taxes and consumption
Cultural diversity: Enriches American society with Mexican culture, food and traditions
Demographic balance: Younger migrant population helps offset aging population

👎 Negative Impacts

Pressure on services: Increased demand for education, healthcare and housing in some areas
Wage competition: Possible downward pressure on wages in certain sectors
Social tensions: Sometimes leads to cultural and political divisions
Border security costs: Significant spending on border enforcement

Recent Trends and Changes

The Mexico-USA migration pattern has changed significantly in recent years:

Net migration from Mexico has actually reversed since 2008, with more Mexicans leaving the USA than arriving
Central American migration has increased, changing the dynamics at the US-Mexico border
Mexico has become a transit country and destination for migrants from other countries
Economic improvements in Mexico have reduced some push factors
Stricter US immigration policies have deterred some migration

Exam Tip: Evaluating Migration Case Studies

When writing about migration case studies in your exam:

Always include specific facts and figures (e.g., number of migrants, amount of remittances)
Discuss both push and pull factors
Evaluate impacts on both source and host countries
Consider short-term and long-term effects
Include different perspectives (economic, social, political, environmental)

Conclusion: The Complexity of International Migration

The Mexico-USA migration case study shows that international migration is rarely simple. It involves complex economic, social and political factors that change over time. Migration brings both benefits and challenges to source and host countries and these impacts are often distributed unevenly across different groups in society.

As you prepare for your iGCSE Geography exam, remember that understanding international migration means looking beyond simple explanations. The best answers will consider multiple perspectives, use specific evidence and evaluate both positive and negative impacts on different groups of people.

🧠 Test Your Knowledge!