Migration

Migration can simply be defined as the movement of people from one geographical location to another based on a series of push and pull factors.

• Emigration - This is when a migrant is leaving a country and is known as an emigrant. (Tip - to remember easily, think "e" for exiting the country)
• Immigration - This is when a migrant is coming into a country and is known as an immigrant. (Tip - to remember easily, think "i" for coming into the country)

Push & Pull Factors (Reasons For Migrations)

Push Factors

The factors below encourage persons to emigrate

• High levels of poverty
• Frequent severe natural disasters
• Few education opportunities
• High unemployment / Few job opportunities
• Political instability or poor governance
• Inadequate healthcare services
• Poor quality of life
• High crime rates or war

Pull Factors

The factors below encourage persons to immigrate

• Low crime rates and no war
• High standard of living
• More education opportunities
• More employment opportunities
• Advanced healthcare systems
• Stable government
• Less severe and few natural disasters
• Better public infrastructure and services

Types of Migration

• International Migration - This involves moving across an international border away from someone's normal residence.  For example, moving from Barbados to Canada.
• Regional Migration - This involves moving within the particular region someone lives in. For example, moving from one CARICOM country to another like Guyana to Jamaica.
• Internal Migration - This involves the movement of people within the country they are citizens of. For example, moving from Vieux Fort, a town in the south of St. Lucia to Castries, the capital city in the north of St. Lucia.
• Temporary Migration - This refers to a temporary move away from someone's normal residence for a limited time and then returning after, often times for work or tertiary education.
• Permanent Migration - This refers to when people move away without any intentions of returning to their original place of residence.
• Voluntary Migration - This refers to people moving away for different reasons but entirely by their own free will.

Causes of Migration

• Economic Causes - This can be moving away to gain income by finding job opportunities. For example, migrating to seek employment in Guyana which is actively expanding its recently established oil industry.
• Environmental Causes - Depending on environmental conditions like excessive pollution or even natural disasters persons may migrate, for example, emigration from Haiti which experiences frequent earthquakes.
• Political Causes - This can refer to persons moving away from political instability and/or evading political persecution. For example, migrating from Venezuela to Trinidad & Tobago.
• Social Migration - This can be moving away to live with family or for a better standard of living and quality of life. For example, moving from Guyana (HDI 0.714) to Canada (HDI 0.936).

Consequences Of Migration Through Case Studies

Consequences On The Source Country > Case Study - Jamaica

In this case study, Jamaica is an example of a source country meaning that persons emigrate from Jamaica (source of migrants) and move to a host country (hosting migrants). In the early 2000s over 700 000 persons living in the United States were of Jamaican origin, meaning they either migrated there or were descended from Jamaican immigrants. Approximately 80% of Jamaican emmigrants left to move to the United States, roughly 15% to Canada and the remainder to the United Kingdom and elsewhere.  Below are some of the consequences on the source country, some can be positive while some are negative.

• Brain Drain - This occurs when persons who are highly skilled and well educated move away to more developed countries for better job opportunities, this results in a deficit of highly skilled and well educated people in the workforce of the source country
• Lower Birth Rate - Many young persons who migrated will have their children abroad therefore this may lower birth rates in the source country.
• Less Strain On Social Services - Since there are less people within the country after people emigrate, there are less people that the government has to provide social services for.
• Remittances - Some migrants move away for work while their family remains at home.  In these instances they send money back for their families (known as remittances) which is usually in foreign currency which serves as means to earn foreign exchange for the source country.
• Tourism - Many migrants from the Caribbean usually visit home on occasion to see their families or participate cultural events and vacation. These tourists help to build the local economy through spending money at accommodations, restaurants and shopping.

Consequences On The Host Country > Case Study - United States Of America

In this case study, the United States of America is an example of a host country as people immigrate to it seeking a higher standard of living and more opportunities. Many persons from the Caribbean have formed diaspora communities in the United States particularly in the states of New York and Florida. The United States is known for having immigrants from all over the world with more than 1 million people migrating there annually.

• Larger Labour Force - Many migrants fall within the working age and have skills and education to work therefore increasing the number of people in the labor force in the host country and often do many jobs that locals rather not do.
• More Revenue - Since there are more people in the country, there is more money being collected from taxes which increases the amount of revenue that the government of the host country collects.
• Strain On Social Services - Since there are more people in the country the government now has to provide social services for more people which can put a strain on the existing social services.
• Cultural Exchange - In countries such as the United States since there are many migrants from all over the world there is a diverse culture as people bring their traditions, food, culture, etc. with them.

Increased Resource Use - As there are more people within the country much more resources will need to be extracted to meet the needs of the population from basic needs like food and water to much more.