Population and Migration Push and pull factors Types of migration

Migration basics: Migration Is: Long-distance change of residence International or internal Voluntary or forced Affects both receiving and sending regions

Pull and Push factors: what causes people to move? Pulls: People are “drawn” to new regions because of different opportunities elsewhere, such as economic or political/religious freedoms Pushes: People flee to new regions because of conflicts, natural disasters

Voluntary or Forced Migration? Voluntary: free choice Forced: not your choice –Slavery –Refugees

International migration 3% of world’s population migrates to new homelands each year Wide range of push and pull factors Major impact on past and future homelands

European Migrations to USA

Examples of PUSH Factors: Some “ push ” factors include persecution (racial or ethnic), including frequent abuse or oppression (even genocide), people escaping civil war and unrest like in Serbia.

Other “ push ” factors: Political “ push ” factors include escape from dictatorships where civil liberties (like free speech, voting, and religious freedoms are restricted.)

Many people risk their lives to find a better or safer homeland…

Example of “ push ” migration: SUDAN

In the African nation of Sudan, drought, famine and civil war have brought about increased migration over the past two decades. The number of Sudanese changing residence has climbed from 1.3 million in 1983 to 3.4 million in 2000.

Examples of Pull Factors: Economic

Poor individuals from developing countries can have higher standards of living in developed countries than in their originating countries. The availability of jobs is the pull factor.

For some migrants, education is another primary pull factor. Getting a better education assures a better job!

Retirement migration from highly developed countries to lower-cost countries with better climate, is a new type of international “ PULL ” migration. An example is immigration of retired United States citizens to Mexico and Central America.

Some migration is for personal reasons, based on a relationships People are drawn to move in order to join other family members in a new homeland.

Internal migration… People move within a nation’s boundaries: Rural to Urban migration Region to Region

Example of Internal Migration “ Push ” Factor- Natural Disaster In the 1930s, the drought in the Great Plains (Dust Bowl) drove many farmers from their homes to find work in western states ’ farms, such as California.

(thousands of people)

Illegal immigration refers to migration across national borders in a way that violates the immigration laws of the destination country.

Example of Illegal Immigration: PULL factor People seeking economic opportunities account for most of the illegal immigration to the United States. 57% of illegal aliens are of Mexican origin and about 75% are of Latin American origin.

Example of Illegal Immigration: PUSH factor After years of armed conflict, roughly one of every 20 Colombians have fled. Colombia is the fourth-leading source country of unauthorized immigration to the United States.

Information About International Migration: According to, the United Nations, most international migrants move to high-income developed countries This means that most migrants are seeking better economic opportunties

Opposition to immigration is prominent in the United States, which has the largest absolute numbers of immigrants. However, many European countries are experiencing population decline. In such circumstances, immigration helps fill vacant jobs in the economy.

Population and Migration