Voluntary migration Flashcards
Main push factors (reason to leave Poland)
In 2004 their were lower standards of living in Poland and in 2004 Poland’s GDP per capita adjusted to PPP was $14,500 compared with the UK’s $33,000.
There was an unemployment rate of 19% and Polish wages were low, although their cost of living was lower than the UK. For example, the average wage for a teacher in Poland in 2013 was just under £6000 per annum compared with an Scottish teacher who got £26000 in the same year.
Young married couples, had to live with their parents as housing was unaffordable for first time buyers.
Main Pull Factors (why to come to UK)
Availability to cheap flights to regional airports in Britain. For example, in Edinburgh
Their was job availability in a variety of sectors e.g. agriculture, catering, hospitality, construction and transport with higher wages than Poland.
The Fresh Talent Initiative in Scotland granted special visas to retain foreign students for 2 years after they graduated to encourage them to stay in Scotland and take up employment.
State benefits and housing support, as well as the availability of translators, which encouraged migration.
Scotland has an attractive countryside and scenery, so migrants could enjoy the recreation in the outdoors.
Positive impact on Poland (Donor)
Unemployment rate has fallen to 9% reducing pressure of the unemployed.
Reduced pressure on resources such as food and water availability.
Approximately £1.2 billion is sent from UK to relatives in Poland every year.
When Polish immigrants decided to return home, they can speak English; this makes them more desirable to employers in Poland.
Negative impact on Poland (Donor)
The majority of emigrants are of working age, leaving some settlements where the majority of people left are children and old people.
Gaps in the Polish workforce have had to be filled by older people which has reduced outputs and affected the economy.
Lots of highly educated and well qualified people left Poland
