Core Human Migration 5.3 International migration

International Migration Overview

• International migration is a significant global issue with impacts on both donor and receiving nations.
• Countries now are less likely to favor a large influx of outsiders.
• Approximately 3% of the world's population, or 213 million people, live outside their birth country.
• HICs have increased controls to address security issues and illegal immigration/trafficking.

Voluntary Migration

• Voluntary migration can be categorized into 'independent' and 'dependent' movements.
• Independent movements: the individual makes the decision to move.
• Dependent movements: the household collectively makes the decision.

Recent Migration Trends

• Migration is increasingly temporary and circular due to labor-related migration and student mobility.
• Highly skilled worker mobility has increased substantially in recent decades.
• More countries are affected by migration, either as points of origin or destination.
• Many traditional migration streams remain strong, and new streams have developed.
• The proportion of female migrants has increased to almost 50%.
• Some countries, women constitute the majority of contract workers.
• Most international migrants from HICs migrate to other affluent nations.
• Migration from LICs/MICs is split between HICs and LICs/MICs, with movement often from weaker to stronger economies

International Migrant Stock by Origin and Destination (2010)

• North to North: 53 million migrants (25%)
• North to South: 13 million migrants (6%)
• South to North: 74 million migrants (35%)
• South to South: 73 million migrants (34%)

Trends in International Migrant Stock (1990-2010)

• 'North' and 'South' often refer to developed (HICs) and developing countries (MICs/LICs), respectively.
• North migrant stock increased from 82 million to 128 million.
• South migrant stock increased from 73 million to 86 million.

Factors Influencing Migration

• Globalization has increased awareness of opportunities in other countries.
• Advances in transportation and communication have reduced costs and increased mobility.
• Economic and social development have made people more mobile and created conditions for emigration.
• Air transport development is a significant factor in international migration.
• Migrant networks, formed by earlier generations, help newcomers overcome obstacles.
• Stricter rules may confine immigration to family members.

Forced Migration

• Natural disasters can lead to forced migration, particularly in LICs.
• Ecological and environmental changes (e.g., soil degradation, desertification) cause displacement.
• Large infrastructural projects and commercial sector land appetite displace people in LICs.
• Climate change is predicted to force mass migrations, potentially displacing 200 million people by 2050.
• Environmental degradation can lead to significant health problems

Socio-Economic Impact of Migration

• Labor-related migration to richer countries is increasing.
• Influx of migrant workers in major industrialized economies excluding Japan
• Some countries welcome less-skilled workers particularly in fields such as agriculture
• Distribution of immigrants is not uniform with concentration in economic centers
• The extent of job opportunity, presence of co-ethnics and the point of entry affect the choice of regional destination for the immigrants

Socio-Economic Status, Labor practices & Remittances

• OECD immigrants were often unemployed relative to national citizens, with unemployment rates double that of natives
• Immigrants often take 3-D jobs (dirty, dangerous, and dull/difficult).
• They are over-represented in construction, hospitality, catering, and household services.
• Migrants may rely on labor brokers, paying significant fees for placement.
• International labor migration can take the form of commuting.
• International remittances totaled 529billionin2012,exceeding529 billion in 2012, exceeding 529billionin2012,exceeding400 billion directly to low and middle income countries
• Increase of remittances from $30 Billion in the 1990s
• Top remittance recipients include India, China, Mexico and the Phillipines
• Remittances can reduce poverty.

Positive Effects of Remittances

• Help alleviate poverty
• Spur investment
• Cushion the impact of global recession.

Negative effects of Emigration

• Emigration can lead to the brain drain of best workers, although remittances counter this.
• A significant amount of tertiary education investment in LICs has been drained to OEDC countries.
• Social assimilation is related to socio political maturity of host countries and degree of difference with the hosts
• Cities such as London and New York gain multiculturalism.

Cultural Impact of Migration

• Migration shapes the global cultural landscape through exchanges between places.
• Mass migrations can overwhelm indigenous populations.
• Old colonial powers have cosmopolitan populations due to immigration from former colonies.
• Ethnic composition varies between metropolitan and rural areas within countries.
• Establishment of diaspora populations in HICs contributes to cultural hybridity.
• Increased birth rates and diversity of languages spoken by children in schools in countries with high immigration

Economic & Political Impact of Migration

• Latin American migration has increased proportion of Spanish speakers in the USA.
• Contact of migrant workers with families elicits a reverse flow of cultural traits.
• Immigrants more likely to support center and left-leaning political parties.
• Immigrants head for economic core regions and inner-city areas.
• Over time, assimilation occurs, leading to the development of immigrant politicians.
• High levels of international migration can lead to political tension between nations.
• Increased border patrols and militarization of borders.
• High immigration in countries increased the population of immigrants

Developing Nations

• Developing nations pressure HICs to adopt more favorable attitudes to international migration.
• Living within a new political system can affect attitudes about their home country.
• Critics of authoritarian governments tend to live in other countries.

Environmental Impact of Migration

• Population growth driven by immigration contributes to environmental problems.
• Growing population increases environmental footprint beyond borders and strains global systems
• Staples and Cafaro argue that a commitment to environmentalism requires ending population growth by restricting immigration.
• Environmental concerns have grown, leading some to view pro-immigration arguments skeptically
• Migration generates factors relevant/irrelevant to internal conditions

Ethnic Villages in London

• London is a multiracial City with 200 languages spoken within it
• Two-thirds of immigration goes in London since the mid-1990s
• Racial assilimation is more advanced in London than anywhere else
• Non-White population makes up 28.8% of the capita'sl total
• Recent immigrants/those lacking English speakers are more likely to have larger ethic-minority concentration
• Those in the highest social classes live in areas with lower concentration of ethnic-minority
• Ethnic minority villages such as Southhall/Tower Hamlets/Finsbury Park concentrate specific ethnic communities