3.5 - Increase Of Migration And Its Impacts

Question 1

What is a mega city

Answer 1

a city with a population of over 10 million, they grow as a result of rural-urban migration and natural increase.

Question 2

What are the causes of rural to urban migration

Answer 2

Pull factors
- Employment opportunities as TNCs usually locate in urban areas
- better schools
- Easier access to better healthcare

Push factors
- Few jobs
- Low wages
- Natural disasters

Question 3

What are the types of migration

Answer 3

Elite international migrants
- Migrants are highly skilled and/or socially influential people e.g., Actors, Bankers, Academics and Computer programmers
- Wealth comes from their profession or inheritance
- Many live as ‘global citizens’ with numerous homes in different countries
- Many affluent Americans and Russian oligarchs live or work in the UK

Low waged international migration
- Global hubs are very attractive to these migrants
- Migrants work in low pay jobs such as in kitchens, on constructions sites or as cleaners (legally and illegally)
- London, Los Angeles and Dubai have many immigrants e.g., over 2 million Indians live and work in the UAE

Question 4

Costs of migration to the host and source country

Answer 4

Host country
- Social tension is possible if people in the host country believe migration has led to less jobs or housing
- Policy changes to address public concerns e.g., to reduce migration
- Shortages of school places in some areas as a result of natural increase within youthful migrant communities

Source country
- Reduction in the independent, working population that would have contributed to the economy
- Reduced economic growth as consumption falls
- Increase in the number of dependents – children and elderly

Question 5

Benefits of migration to the host and source country

Answer 5

Host country
- Migrants can fill skills shortages
- Economic migrants tend to be willing to do labouring work e.g., working on farms
- Migrants pay taxes and spend their wages on rent and in shops
- Some migrants may start a new business employing others

Source country
- Migrant remittances contribute to national earnings
- Reduced spending on healthcare and housing
- Migrants, or their children, may return, bringing new knowledge and skill