Poland-UK Case Study

Question 1

What were some push factors of Poland?

Answer 1

• Low employment.
• Minimum wage in Poland is less than half than that of the UK. - Long-term average use unemployment of 28%.
• 40% unemployment in some rural Polish areas.

Question 2

What were some pull factors of the UK?

Answer 2

• UK jobs available in low skilled areas e.g. construction and farming.
• In 2005, UK unemployment was 5.1%.
• Free healthcare through NHS.
• Desire to learn English.

Question 3

What are some benefits of migration to the UK?

Answer 3

• Enthusiastic low paid workforce in skilled and unskilled workers.
• More diversity.
• More people to collect taxes from.
• Help to reduce dependency rates.

Question 4

What are some benefits to Eastern European countries?

Answer 4

• A lot of remittances.
• Less pollution and pressure on resources.
• Less traffic and congestion.

Question 5

What are some disadvantages to the UK?

Answer 5

• More pressure on public services and resources.
• Money is sent out of the British economy to the country of origin.
• Over population.
• Less jobs for locals as migrants are willing to work for less money.

Question 6

What are the disadvantages to Eastern European countries?

Answer 6

• Less workers leading to an ageing population.
• Brain drain and higher levels of unemployment.
• Under population leading to a decline in the economy, as less people are paying taxes and there is less demand on local products.
• Gender imbalance, low birth rates and loss of culture.
• Less people in the military.