geography igcse: migration

IGCSE GEOGRAPHY2. MIGRATION

POPULATION MIGRATIONCASE STUDIES

COUNTER-URBANISATION IN EDINBURGHMIGRATION FROM SENEGAL TO EUROPE

INTRODUCTIONRecap key words ‘migration’, ‘emigration’, ‘immigration’ and ‘net migration balance’. Learners describe a key word and the other learner has to define it. Learners define ‘international migration’. Introduce a classification of migration and complete appropriate definitions with examples to illustrate.

MIGRATIONMigration is defined as a permanent or semi-permanent change in where someone lives. For instance, if you and your family move to Australia due to your dad getting a job out there, you have all migrated. If you all go Australia for a three week holiday, then you have not migrated.

SEMI-PERMANENT MIGRATIONSome people migrate only for a short period. Turkish immigrant workers to Germany may only go there for a period of months. They have made a semi-permanent move so can be classified as migrants. People working as chalet-maids in a ski resort for the winter also could be classified as having made a semi-permanent migration.

VOLUNTARY AND FORCED MIGRATIONMigrations fall into two groups, they can be voluntary (where the migrant decides to move) or forced (where the migrant has little choice but to move).

EMIGRATIONEmigration is the act of leaving one's own country to settle permanently in another; moving abroad.

IMMIGRATIONImmigrate is to come into another country to live permanently or when someone enters a country.

REMEMBER: Emigrate means to leave one's country to live in another. Immigrate is to come into another country to live permanently. Migrate is to move, like bird in the winter. The choice between emigrate, immigrate, and migrate depends on the sentence's point of view.

NET MIGRATION BALANCENet migration rate is the difference of immigrants and emigrants of an area in a period of time, divided per 1,000 inhabitants.

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATIONInternational migration is when people migrate from one country to another - for example, moving from Mexico to the USA.

WHY DO PEOPLE MIGRATE?People migrate for many different reasons. These reasons can be classified as economic, social, political or environmental:• economic migration - moving to find work or follow a

particular career path• social migration - moving somewhere for a better quality

of life or to be closer to family or friends• political migration - moving to escape political

persecution or war• environmental causes of migration - include natural

disasters such as flooding

REFUGEESSome people choose to migrate, eg. someone who moves to another country to enhance their career opportunities. Some people are forced to migrate, eg. someone who moves due to war or famine.A refugee is someone who has left their home and does not have a new home to go to. Often refugees do not carry many possessions with them and do not have a clear idea of where they may finally settle.

PUSH FACTORSPush factors are the reasons why people leave an area. They include:• lack of services• lack of safety• high crime• crop failure• drought• flooding• poverty• war

PULL FACTORSPull factors are the reasons why people move to a particular area. They include:• higher employment• more wealth• better services• good climate• safer, less crime• political stability• more fertile land• lower risk from natural hazards

MIGRATION PUSH AND PULL FACTORSMigration usually happens as a result of a combination of these push and pull factors.

PATTERNS OF MIGRATIONPeople migrate all the time...Within the EUSince the EU was formed, it is easier to migrate between countries. Within the EU migrants may come:• from different countries in the EU• from outside of the EU

In 2004 Poland, and seven other Eastern European countries joined the EU. This increased migration into the UK. The largest group of migrants were from Poland.

PATTERNS OF MIGRATIONMigration from outside the EUImmigrants after the world wars mainly came from commonwealth countries. Immigration was encouraged by the government.Many immigrants provided labour for textile factories, transport, health or steelworks. The UK tightened migration controls in the 1970s.

GLOBAL MIGRATIONThere are sometimes patterns of migration globally as the map below shows. Example:

MIGRATION POLICIESThe number of migrants a country receives is influenced by the countries migration policy. Countries such as the UK operate a points based system. People are awarded points depending on their skills, previous income, and age. This has system gives some people visas to allow them entry into the UK for work - especially where there is a shortage of labour in that sector.Migration laws are complex, and change in different countries, even within the EU.

IMPACTS OF MIGRATION: EDINBURGHCollins student book page 19.Counter-urbanisation in the capital of Scotland.

Movement of wealthier families to surrounding rural areas of Edinburgh.They use local services and they save them from being closed down.Migration can also cause problems for small rural towns that they moved to (North Berwick).

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION: SENEGALCollins student book page 21.International migration: Senegal to Europe.

Senegal is a small country in West Africa.Population is around 13 million, growing 2% per year.Senegal use to have a stable government and opportunities for immigrants from all over Africa.The economic crisis from 1990 saw a huge drop in living standards.There was a big increase in unemployment and a lack of jobs.

EXTRA WORK

Rapid population growth has meant competition for the few jobs available.Put pressure on resources, especially food.

Study the migration from Senegal to Europe (France) and answer the following question:

What would be the possible impacts in France and European countries of many people from Senegal migrating to them? (15 minutes).

MIGRATION GLOSSARYMigration is the movement of people from one place to another.Internal migration is when people migrate within the same country or region.International migration is when people migrate from one country to another.Emigration is when someone leaves a country.Immigration is when someone enters a country.Economic migration could mean moving to find work.Social migration is moving to be near family.

MIGRATION GLOSSARYPolitical migration can be moving to escape war.Environmental migration is to escape natural disasters.Push factors are the reasons people leave an area like lack of services, high crime, crop failure, flooding, poverty and war.Pull factors are the reasons people move to a particular area, like high employment, wealth, better services, good climate and fertile land.