Theme 1 - Migration Flashcards
pull factors for rural-urban migration
- cheap land
- employment
- personal safety
- education
- higher wages
- better quality of life
push factors for rural-urban migration
- unemployment
- war/conflict
- poverty
- climate
- famine
intervening obstacles (factors that reduce or hinder migration)
- physical: rivers, deserts, forests
- laws and regulations
- cost of moving
- cost of housing
counter-urbanisation
moving from urban areas to rural areas
bright light syndrome
the idea that people are more attracted to cities as they are believed to offer a better lifestyle compared to rural.
brain drain
The loss of skilled workers and educated people from a country through emigration
brain gain
The gain of skilled workers and educated people from a country through immigration
economic voluntary migration
when people choose to immigrate to a new country for economic reasons such as employment, services or education.
social voluntary migration
when people choose to immigrate to a new country for social reasons such as familial ties, religion etc
most common characteristics of migrants
young, low-skilled, vulnerable to exploitation
remittances
the act of migrants sending money or gifts to their home countries to support their families
refugees
someone that has been forced to leave their country because of persecution, war or violence.
causes of refugees
- war
- oppression
- natural disasters
- persecution
- climate change
asylum seekers
someone who has left their home country and formally applied for protection in another country.
illegal immigrant
someone who enters a country in violation of its immigration laws
environmental forced migrants
people who are forced to leave their homes due to environmental changes such as climate change or natural disasters
positive impacts of migration on destination
- increased birth rates
- boost to local economy
- improved public services due to influx of workers
- government tax revenues increased
- brain gain
negative impacts of migration on destination
- competition for jobs, housing, services
- cultural clashes and discrimination
- pressure on healthcare + education services
- deterioration in environment
- overpopulation
- illegal settlements
positive impacts of migration on origin country
- remittances
- reduced unemployment
- less pressure on natural resources
- less pressure on healthcare + education services
negative impacts of migration on origin country
- brain drain
- underpopulation
- loss of workers -> depletion of local economy
- ageing populaton
CASE STUDY: International Migration from Mexico-USA
Introduction
- Mexico & USA share a 3000KM long border
- 4% of Mexico’s GNI came from remittances in 2022
- 10.9 million Mexican immigrants were living in USA in 2021
CASE STUDY: International Migration from Mexico-USA
Causes
PUSH:
- Mexico has a high homicide rate
- Political instability in Mexico
- 46% of Mexico’s population live below the poverty line
- Mexico averages 24 hurricanes per year
PULL:
- USA literacy rate is 99%, Mexico’s 86%
- USA life expectancy is 76, Mexico’s 72
- There are established migrant communities in California and Texas
- Lower levels of air pollution
- Better legal protections for workers
CASE STUDY: International Migration from Mexico-USA
Impacts
USA:
- 13.4 % of population speak Spanish as their first language
- Southern USA is renowned for Tex-Mex cuisine
- Arizona desert is very arid and hot, many migrants need medical attention upon arrival
MEXICO:
- Remittances are a high source of aid
- 58.5 billion USD in 2022 of remittances
- Santa Ines village has lost 2/3 of population due to emigration
CASE STUDY: International Migration from Mexico-USA
Responses
- migrants need to obtain a green card to immigrate to US
- There is a green card lottery where 50,000 are given out, Mexico not included in this
- USA admits 900,000 legal migrants per year
- 5.5 million enter USA per year, some stay ilegally
- NGO at the border provide food, water + aid for immigrants
