Today, the number of people living outside their country of birth is larger than at any other time in history. International migrants would now make up the world’s fifth most populated country if they all lived in the same place.’
(United Nations Population Fund)
Globalisation is the process whereby the world has become more interconnected. It signals the increasing interaction of peoples, states or countries through the growth of the international flow of money, ideas and culture.
19
Globalisation has introduced factors known as network factors that have influenced migration. These factors include:
z„ z„ z„
the free flow of information improved global communications the faster and lower cost of moving from one place to another.
The impacts of migration and the role network factors play in it can be positive and negative for the migrant.
Positives of migration for the migrant z„
z„
Immigration can provide a supply of low-cost workers for some countries. This is positive provided these migrant workers’ rights are protected and that they are paid a fair wage.
Upon return, migrants bring new skills to the country such as the ability to speak foreign languages. These new skills can help to improve the economy in the country of origin (source) of the migrant.
