By the end of this chapter I will be able to: zz zz zz
zz Syllabus Links: 5.3
identify and explain the impacts of migration on donor and receiver regions; describe the changing patterns of migration in Ireland;
explain how rural-to-urban migration affects the developed and developing regions of the world;
outline and explain Irish and EU migration policies; zzidentify and explain ethnic, racial and religious issues that can arise from migration. DID YOU KNOW?
The UN estimates that in 2017 the number of international migrants was 257.7 million people – 3.34% of the global population.
Since prehistoric times, migration has featured in global population dynamics. Reasons for internal and international migration are varied and include economic, social and political factors. The imbalance in economic activities within and between countries is one of the major drivers of migration, with push factors operating in donor regions and pull factors in host regions.
Push factors – donor regions
Overpopulation: where the resources of an area can no longer support the population (e.g. the Sahel region)
Poor economic opportunities result in low wages and unemployment (e.g. the Mezzogiorno)
Lack of services: health and education (e.g. rural areas of India)
Conflict and political unrest (e.g. Syria) Pull factors – receiver/host regions
Underpopulation: areas where labour shortages exist (e.g. Canada)
Highly developed economies with a variety of economic activities and employments (e.g. Paris)
Large range of services: health and education (e.g. Galway)
Higher incomes and a better standard of living (e.g. Brussels)
Natural disasters and famine (e.g. Darfur) Freedom from persecution (e.g. Europe)
Barriers to migration include: Financial: The costs involved in travel and resettling can prevent people from moving.
Legal: The requirements for visas and work permits can result in people being denied permission to move to a new country.
Personal: Family ties can prevent people from leaving their country of origin. CHECK YOUR LEARNING
1. Name two pull factors and explain how each one operates. 2. Name two push factors and explain how each one operates. 3. Identify any three barriers to migration.
459 A-Z Push factors:
Considerations that cause people to leave a region known as the donor region.
Pull factors:
Considerations that draw people to a region known as the receiver or host region.
Migration: The long-term movement of people from one place to another.
