2.3 International Migration Flashcards
What has caused international migration?
Mainly driven by population pressure, economic differences meaning search of higher living standards, war, disaster, lack of freedom/persecution as well as the reduction of barriers to international migration.
What is voluntary migration? What has caused it?
Makes up most of international movements.
Lots of students and highly skilled workers move between countries but often return home after being educated or making money.
Globalisation has also led to the freer movement reducing the barriers to migration.
The number of female migrants is also increasing due to changing employment structures leaning towards services - females account for almost 50% of migrants. Most emigrants go from HIC to HIC, LIC to M/N/HIC however HICs tend to have stricter laws on migration
What are independent movements?
The decision is made by the individual - alternatively dependent movements are when migrants do not have significant say in the choice.
What is forced migration? What are the main causes?
Migration in which migrants feel there is no other choice but to move. Historically, forced recruitment of labour may occur - slavery, transportation from colonies following wars.
It is mainly war and conflict that has caused forced migration. Those who have moved within their own their own country are internally displaced.
This has mainly occurred due to new weaponry, new forms of warfare and mass evictions of weapons by establishing segregated societies. Refugees often go to neighbouring countries, causing extreme pressures.
What are some causes of international migration?
Population pressure: As death rates fall and birth rates remain high, population grows and causes overpopulation, underemployment and poverty, leading people to seek migration
Inequality: migrants tend to go towards richer countries where jobs are available and wages are higher, stimulating movement from LICs to HICs.
Changing barriers: cost of journey depends on distance - air travel fastest but expensive and illegal immigrants cannot do so. the cost is often very high. The distance is lessened by technological and transport advancements but still significant. Cultural and information barriers may also be important as immigrants may have limited information and suffer persecution and other issues once arriving
Immigration laws: stricter in HICs, limited the number of migrants at the point of origin by making VISA requirements more demanding and only allowing tourists who already have return flights. Also may only allowed skilled workers or students. Interceptions of illegal sea crossings, repatriating illegal immigrants, fining those who host immigrants, border fencing and building holding bases in other countries to check papers are common
What is the impact on the country of origin?
Positive: remittances major source of income (ease unemployment/underemployment), reduce pressure, more food available, farms larger and boost production, returning migrants bring skills with them, reduced pop. density, birth rates fall, women better social status
Negative: loss of young adult workers with skills - brain drain, ageing population, fall in agricultural output, migrants returning may have different views causing division, farms abandoned, lack FDI, economic development falls, if migrants successful may cause more to leave, issues with male/female balance, families disrupted, taxes may rise to compensate, government may implement pro natalist policies and discourage emigration
What is the impact on the country of destination?
Positive: labour pool, reduce cost of labour, inflation, migrants bring skills, increased diversity, reduce ageing population, may take less desirable jobs, returning migrants don’t pay pensions, immigrant families revitalise dying industries, wider range of goods and services.
Negative: migrants perceived to take jobs, increased pressure on housing and services, racial tension, overpopulation/density, industries reliant on migrant labour, money repatriated to origin, lead to unemployment, poor ethnic areas develop, tension and run down areas, schools dominated by migrant children - local resentment, culture lost for migrants, discrimination, political views change, calls for restrictions, more pollution
What is the impact on the migrants themselves?
Positive: Higher wages, better job opportunities, better skills, send remittances, learn new languages and cultures
Negative: High cost of movement, separation from families, problems in settling into new cultures, migrants exploited, journeys dangerous and illegal, discrimination and resentment.
