7.1 What are the contemporary patterns of global migration? Flashcards
7.1 What are the contemporary patterns of global migration?
Key idea ⮕ Global migration involves dynamic flows of people between countries, regions and continents.
Migration and links to globalisation
Migration is inextricably linked to globalisation processes. Places are increasingly interconnected and it is not surprising that the magnitude, complexity and impact of global migration make it a priority issue for almost all nations.
Migration policies, border control and migrant safety have become increasingly important issues.
Economic migrants
People who move voluntarily from one country hoping to find jobs and a higher standard of living, better quality of life.
Migrant remittances
The process by which a migrant sends money to family or friends in his or her home country.
Refugees
People who are forced to migrate from their home country and cannot return for fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion.
Asylum seekers
Someone who has migrated to another country in the hope of being recognised as a refugee.
Current spatial patterns in international migrant flows
-International migration
-Numbers, composition and direction
International migration (Current spatial patterns in international migrant flows)
International migration is one element of total population change in a country. The fact that the migration figures are estimates points to the issue of defining an international migrant. Lack of uniformity among countries creates difficulty in obtaining accurate, reliable and comparable statistics. This is compounded by the many undocumented, illegal migrations.
Population change formula
(births - deaths) ± international migration
UN definition of long-term migrant
A person who moves to a country other than his or her usual residence for a period of at least a year.
UN definition of short-term migrant
A person who moves to a country other than his or her usual residence for at least three months but less than a year.
Net migration
Refers to the difference between numbers of immigrants and emigrants for a particular country. In 2014, the UK had an estimated net migration gain of 318,000; in 2015, it was 333,000.
Numbers, composition and direction (Current spatial patterns in international migrant flows)
The scale and direction of international migration and the composition of migrant flows are complex and can be demonstrated by the immigration and emigration patterns for the UK (Figure 7.2, Table 7.2 - Page 216).
Main reasons for UK nationals living abroad
-Employment opportunities
-Retirement
-Family reunification
Employment opportunities (Main reasons for UK nationals living abroad)
The majority of emigrants were of working age, including a high proportion in managerial occupations.
Retirement (Main reasons for UK nationals living abroad)
A large number of emigrants were of retirement age. High UK house prices enable many to sell up and live more cheaply abroad, often in a locality with a warm climate and good quality of life.
Family reunification (Main reasons for UK nationals living abroad)
Moving to join relatives overseas.
Inter-regional migrant flows
Many thousands of people risk their lives to flee conflict and instability in Africa and the Middle East in the last decade in order to reach European territory.
Inter-regional migrants often travel overland across desert areas, the migrants are transported and sometimes set adrift in small vessels in the Mediterranean by the traffickers.
Intra-regional migrant flows
International migration within the EU-28 is complex. In any one year not only is there significant movement between the EU member states but also between many non-EU countries and the EU.
Inter-regional trade
The flow of international trade among major world regions such as Europe, North America and Asia.
The Lee migration model
The Lee migration model illustrates, using push and pull factors, why a migrant might decide to leave one country and travel to another.
Intra-regional trade
The flow of international trade within one of the major world regions such as Europe or Asia. Most international trade is intra-regional.
Push factors (The Lee migration model)
These are negative factors which operate in a migrant’s current location.
Pull factors (The Lee migration model)
These are the perceived advantages of a potential destination which attract migrants.