2.3 International migration

Question 1

Define international migration

Answer 1

People migrate from one country to another

Question 2

Causes of international migration

Answer 2

• Globalisation:
  + Advances in communication and transportation technology allows people to become more mobile and aware of opportunities in other countries
  + The world’s economies have become more integrated => common to send remittances

Question 3

International migration data

Answer 3

• 1 in every 35 people around the world is living outside the country of their birth
• This amounts to about 175 million people

Question 4

What does the recent migration data show?

Answer 4

• With the growth in the importance of labour-related migration and international student mobility, migration has become increasingly temporary and circular in nature
• The spatial impact of migration is spreading with increasing numbers of countries affected
• Many traditional migration streams remain strong but significant new streams have developed
• The proportion of female migrants has steadily increased (now over 47% of migrants)
• The majority of international migrants from MEDCs go to other affluent nations

Question 5

What are the 2 main types of international migration?

Answer 5

• Voluntary

- Forced

Question 6

Define asylum seeker

Answer 6

Has left their own country and seeks protection in another

Question 7

Define refugee

Answer 7

Someone who has been forced to leave home because of a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, social group or political opinion

Question 8

Difference between an asylum seeker and refugee

Answer 8

An asylum seeker is a person who has sought protection as a refugee, but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been assessed. Every refugee has at some point been an asylum seeker.

Question 9

Define internally displaced person

Answer 9

Forced to flee their home because their life is in danger but do not cross international borders

Question 10

Define stateless person

Answer 10

Someone who under national laws, does not enjoy citizenship or nationality

Question 11

Causes of growing scale and speed of forced displacement

Answer 11

• The emergence of new forms of warfare involving the destruction of whole social, economic and political systems
• The spread of light weapons and land mines, available at affordable prices to enable the whole pop. to be armed
• The use of mass evictions and expulsions as a weapon of war and as a means of establishing culturally and ethnically homogeneous societies - ethnic cleansing

Question 12

Define diaspora

Answer 12

Refers to the dispersal of people from their original homeland

Question 13

Define multiplier effect

Answer 13

Where an increase in the money supply in a region sets off an upward spiral of development as this money circulates in the economy

Question 14

Environmental impact of international migration

Answer 14

• Not limiting immigration may lead to reduce the achievement of environmental goals
• If population change is significantly influenced by net migration the population might increase, putting more pressure on resources and the environment

Question 15

Political impact of international migration

Answer 15

• In many countries with high no. of legal immigrants - they are more likely to vote for political parties sympathetic to their beliefs and needs
• Overtime, immigrants gradually assimilate into the host society - economically then socially finally politically
• Large immigrant groups of good social standing may start forming and voting for their own politicians
• High level of intl migration can lead to political tension.e.g. in a no. of EU countries, immigration over the past 500 years from Islamic countries worries the politicians about the Islamisation of Europe

Question 16

Cultural impact of international migration

Answer 16

• Old colonial powers have relatively cosmopolitan populations compared to non-colonial nations
• In such countries, there is also a significant difference between ethnic composition between urban and rural areas
• Significant diaspora pop have established in many MEDCs resulting in cultural hybridity
• Migrant culture is brought into the destination country resulting in diversity but also discrimination

Question 17

Factors influencing regional destinations of immigrants

Answer 17

• Extent of economic opportunities
• Presence of family members or others from the same ethnic group
• Point of entry into the country

Question 18

Socio-economic impact on the source countries

Answer 18

• Remittances:
  + World Bank estimates that international remittances totalled $397b in 2008, 77% of which went to LEDCs
  + They can exceed the amount of aid received by LEDCs
• Other than remittances they also benefit from donations by migrants to projects, the purchase of goods/services in the home country by migrants working abroad, increased foreign exchange
  => positive multiplier effect
• Emigration is the brain drain; lose best workers
• Some countries the %of graduates overseas is high => investment in tertiary/higher education is not too cost effective
• Migrants might return and bring new ideas and ways of living to infiltrate the society

Question 19

Socio-economic impact on immigrants

Answer 19

• Be unemployed
• Have 3D jobs (dirty, dangerous and difficult/dull)
• Be over-represented in construction, hospitality, catering and household services
• Discrimination due to racial differences - greatest barrier to assimilation
• Social assimilation is related to socio-political maturity of the host nation as well as the degree of difference between the host and the source

Question 20

Socio-economic impact on host countries

Answer 20

• Job vacancies and skills gaps can be filled.
• Economic growth can be sustained.
• Services to an ageing population can be maintained when there are insufficient young people locally.
• The pension gap can be filled by the contributions of new young workers and they also pay taxes.
• Immigrants bring energy and innovation.
• Host countries are enriched by cultural diversity.
• Pressure on services
• Increased crime
• Ease of movement may facilitate organised crime and people trafficking
• Large movements of people lead to more security monitoring.