Population Dynamics » Migration causes, impacts, and case studies

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The different types of migration and key terminology
Push and pull factors that cause people to migrate
Economic, social and environmental impacts of migration
Case studies of international and internal migration
How migration patterns are changing in the modern world
Government policies that manage migration

Introduction to Migration

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another with the intention of settling temporarily or permanently in the new location. It's one of the most important processes affecting population dynamics around the world today.

Key Definitions:

Migration: The movement of people from one place to another to live or work.
Emigration: Leaving one country to live in another.
Immigration: Moving into a new country to live.
Internal migration: Moving within the same country (e.g., rural to urban).
International migration: Moving from one country to another.
Voluntary migration: Choosing to move freely.
Forced migration: Being made to move against your will.
Refugee: Someone forced to leave their country due to war, persecution, or natural disaster.
Economic migrant: Someone who moves primarily for better job opportunities.

💰 Push Factors

These are the negative aspects that drive people away from their home:

Lack of jobs or low wages
Poor healthcare or education
War or conflict
Political persecution
Natural disasters
Food shortages
Environmental degradation

🎯 Pull Factors

These are the positive aspects that attract people to a new place:

Better job opportunities
Higher wages
Improved quality of life
Better healthcare and education
Political freedom
Family connections
Safety and security

Impacts of Migration

Migration has significant impacts on both the places people leave (source areas) and the places they move to (destination areas). These impacts can be economic, social, environmental and political.

📈 Economic Impacts

Source areas:

Loss of working-age population
Gain of remittances (money sent home)
Reduced unemployment
Brain drain (loss of skilled workers)

Destination areas:

Increased workforce
Economic growth
Skills and expertise gain
Pressure on jobs and wages

👥 Social Impacts

Source areas:

Families separated
Ageing population
Gender imbalance
Cultural exchange

Destination areas:

Cultural diversity
Pressure on services
Integration challenges
Changing community identity

🏠 Environmental Impacts

Source areas:

Reduced pressure on resources
Land abandonment
Loss of traditional land management

Destination areas:

Increased pressure on housing
Urban sprawl
Pressure on water and energy
Increased pollution in growing areas

Case Studies of Migration

🌎 Case Study: Mexico to USA Migration

Background: One of the world's largest migration corridors with approximately 11 million Mexican-born immigrants living in the USA.

Causes:

Push factors: Lower wages in Mexico (average wage 3-4 times lower than USA), fewer job opportunities, drug-related violence
Pull factors: Higher wages, better job prospects, family connections, better education and healthcare

Impacts on Mexico:

Receives over $30 billion in remittances annually
Loss of working-age population in some communities
Some villages have lost 70% of their workforce
Skills gap as educated workers leave

Impacts on USA:

Economic growth in sectors like agriculture, construction and services
Cultural enrichment (food, music, language)
Political debates about border control and immigration policy
Integration challenges in some communities

🌇 Case Study: Rural to Urban Migration in China

Background: The largest internal migration in history with over 290 million rural migrants moving to Chinese cities since 1978.

Causes:

Push factors: Limited farmland, mechanisation reducing jobs, low rural incomes
Pull factors: Factory jobs, higher urban wages (3-4 times higher), better services

Impacts on rural areas:

"Left-behind children" - over 60 million children separated from parents
Ageing rural population as young people leave
Remittances supporting rural development
Declining traditional farming communities

Impacts on urban areas:

Rapid urbanisation and development of megacities
Housing shortages and development of urban villages
Pressure on services and infrastructure
Economic growth and manufacturing boom
Environmental challenges (pollution, congestion)

Government response: The Hukou (household registration) system restricts access to services for migrants in cities, though reforms are gradually being introduced.

Managing Migration

Governments use various policies to manage migration flows:

📝 Immigration Policies

Points-based systems: Countries like Australia and Canada select migrants based on skills, education and language ability
Quotas: Limiting numbers of migrants from certain countries or categories
Border controls: Physical barriers and checks at entry points
Work permits: Allowing temporary migration for specific jobs
Family reunification: Allowing migrants to bring close family members

🎓 Integration Policies

Language classes: Helping migrants learn the local language
Housing support: Preventing segregation and ghettoisation
Education access: Ensuring migrant children can attend school
Healthcare access: Providing medical services to newcomers
Cultural orientation: Helping migrants understand local customs

Current Migration Trends

Migration patterns are constantly changing in response to global events:

Climate migration: Increasing numbers of people are moving due to climate change impacts like rising sea levels, drought and extreme weather
Refugee crises: Conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan and other regions have created large refugee populations
Skilled migration: Competition for highly skilled workers is increasing between developed nations
Urbanisation: The rural to urban shift continues globally, with over 55% of the world's population now living in cities
Return migration: Some migrants are returning to their countries of origin as economies develop
Circular migration: Temporary, often seasonal movement between places is becoming more common

💡 Key Points to Remember

Migration is caused by a combination of push and pull factors
It has both positive and negative impacts on source and destination areas
Different types of migration (forced/voluntary, internal/international) have different causes and effects
Case studies help us understand real-world examples of migration patterns
Migration is a key component of population change alongside birth and death rates
Government policies attempt to manage migration flows and integration
Climate change is becoming an increasingly important driver of migration