Population - [CASE STUDY] Migration within the EU

Question 1

When was Poland added to the EU?

Answer 1

1st April 2004.

(That’s not an April Fools).

It was one of 8 Eastern European countries being added, known as the A8 countries.

Question 2

How many migrants were predicted and how many applied to the UK?

Answer 2

15,000 migrants were predicted.

447,000 had applied for jobs by July 2006, 62% of which were from Poland.

Question 3

Name the Push Factors.

Answer 3

• Unemployment rate at 18.5% in 2005.
• Youth unemployment at 40%.
• Rural unemployment at 40%.

Question 4

Name the Pull Factors.

Answer 4

• Unemployment rate in the UK low, at 5.1%.
• High demand for skilled and semi-skilled labour.
• Vacancies from Oct-Dec in 2007 were 607,900.
• UK were one of only 3 countries who did not restrict the numbers from A8 countries.

Question 5

What were the benefits?

Answer 5

• £2.5 billion contributed to the Economy by Eastern European immigrants.
• 80% of migrants were aged 18-35, helped cope with aging population.
• New migrants were typically hard working, enthusiastic, skilled and flexible.
• Filled skills gap of low-paid jobs.
• Aid to a multi-cultural society.

Question 6

What were the concerns?

Answer 6

• Tensions in areas that had previously not experienced large scale immigration.
• Increased pressures on education by children of migrants.
• Some 27,000 child benefit applications approved.
• Higher demand for housing increased prices.
• High proportion of wages being returned to Poland.

The future:

• Approximately half of the migrants have returned home.
• Rate of inward migration slowing due to improved conditions in Poland.

Question 7

What were the Political Effects?

Answer 7

• UK government facing demands for increased immigration control.
• Discrimination that may lead to civil unrest.
• Concern over EU powers.