Demography and Migration Written Report PDF

Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology DEMOGRAPHY AND MIGRATION Written Report Submitted to Prof. Clarience Y. Cayran In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course GEC103 The Contemporary W...

Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology DEMOGRAPHY AND MIGRATION Written Report Submitted to Prof. Clarience Y. Cayran In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course GEC103 The Contemporary World Submitted by Balt, Hafizah Najaah Cabigquez, Keonna Lo Jutba, Sean Filson Mangondato, Razhel Munder, Omar Ali Tabamo, Kaye Angelie A7-2 | Group 7 NOVEMBER 2024  INTRODUCTION Global demography focuses on the statistical, empirical, and mathematical study of human populations, examining their size, composition, and spatial distribution, as well as changes over time influenced by factors such as fertility, mortality, marriage (nuptiality), migration, and social mobility. Understanding population trends is essential for analyzing the relationship between demographic changes and societal welfare. This presentation will explore key issues such as overpopulation, population growth, and food security, highlighting their interconnected impacts on global development. Additionally, it will delve into migration as a critical component of globalization, examining its effects on both sending and receiving countries and its broader implications for the economic stability and well-being of nations. I. WHAT IS DEMOGRAPHY? Demography This is the statistical study of human populations (e.g. births, deaths, income, or the incidence of disease). It is deeply interconnected with various disciplines, including history, economics, religion, social structures, geography, and culture, providing a comprehensive understanding of population dynamics. Population This refers to the total number of people or inhabitants residing within a specific country, region, or area. It serves as a fundamental metric for analyzing demographic trends and societal development. How children are viewed in different fields… In religious, they see children as a gift, a symbol of successful union In culture, they see children as the successor to the next generation, a kinship network. In economics, they see children as critical investments. Rural Urban Farmers want more children to have an Educated or professional families desire just extra hand to help on crop cultivation or in one or two children because they are tied their small family business. with their jobs and have no time to devote to having a kid or to parenting. Rural families view multiple children and Urban families may not have the same large kinship as critical investments. kinship network because couples live on Children can take over the agricultural work their own, or they already move out of their and their houses become the retirement farmlands. house of their parents, who will proceed to take care of their children. Different family structures and lifestyles shape the economic and social policies that countries develop to manage their populations. In less developed, agriculture-dependent regions, high population growth rates are common, as larger families often support farming livelihoods. In contrast, urban population growth is typically driven by migration rather than higher birth rates, as individuals move to cities in search of job opportunities in more industrialized and modern sectors. International migration also significantly influences population dynamics. For instance, countries like Canada and Japan welcome immigrants to counteract the challenges of aging populations. However, immigrants are sometimes seen as competitors in the job market, sparking concerns among local citizens about employment opportunities. II. OVERPOPULATION and ECONOMY Overpopulation British scholar Thomas Malthus in his 1798 “An Essay on the Principle of Population” argued that although population grows geometrically, the food supply increases only arithmetically. This meant, he claimed, that if births go unchecked, the population will outstrip its food supply. He warned that by the middle of the 19th century, the population growth will inevitably exhaust the world food supply. American biologist Paul R. Ehrlich and his wife wrote The Population Bomb, which argued that overpopulation in the 1970s and 1980s will bring about global environmental disasters that would lead to food shortage and mass starvation. They proposed to promote a global population control in order to reduce the growth rate to zero. Recommendations of Remedies to Overpopulation Chemical castration Monetary incentives ○ Paying off men who would agree to be sterilized after two children Institution-building ○ Department of Population and Environment Policy-oriented ○ Taxing on additional child and luxury taxes on child-related products ○ Family Planning As population growth rate increased after World War II, by limiting the population, vital resources could be used for economic progress and not “wasted” or “diverted” to feeding more mouths. This argument became the basis for government “population control” programs worldwide. Examples: ○ One child policy in China ○ Republic Act No. 10354 on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health in the Philippines Economy and Population Betsy Hartmann disagreed with the advocates of the neo-Malthusian theory* and criticized the use of population control to prevent the crisis. He accused governments of using population control as a substitute for social justice and much needed reforms such land distribution, employment creation, provision of mass education and health care, and emancipation.  * Neo-Malthusian Theory Named after Thomas Malthus, this theory is a concern that overpopulation as well as overconsumption may increase resource depletion and/or environmental degradation will lead to ecological collapse or other hazards. Population growth aided economic development by spurring technological and institutional innovation and increasing the supply of human ingenuity. These megacities have become and continue to be centers of economic growth and activity, but also clusters in which income disparities along with transportation, housing, air pollution, and waste management are major problems. If the working age increases, for example, the median age of females is 29.4 years and 30.9 years in males it means it has a young working population, there are more workers than per dependent. Demographers called it a window of opportunity, opportunity to the government to develop and boost the economy, but the period is limited. II.a WOMEN and REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS Women and Reproductive Rights Women must have control over their bodies The more educated a woman is, the better are her prospects of improving her economic position. The health of the mother and child comes first. Women’s reproductive rights emphasize the importance of bodily autonomy and access to resources that support their health and well-being. Empowering women through education not only enhances their economic opportunities but also fosters greater independence and informed decision-making regarding their reproductive choices. A key principle is prioritizing the health of both mothers and children to ensure safe and supportive environments. Feminist perspective Against any form of population control because they are compulsory by nature. Unequal distribution of wealth, universal health care, education, and gender equality. From a feminist perspective, there is strong opposition to coercive population control measures, advocating instead for addressing systemic inequalities such as the unequal distribution of wealth, lack of universal health care, limited education access, and gender inequality. These priorities align with the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) transformative goals, which include: ✔ Zero Maternal Mortality ✔ Zero unmet need for modern family planning, and ✔ Zero Gender-based violence and other harmful practices These goals highlight the importance of advancing gender equality and ensuring women have the resources and rights to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.  II.b FOOD SOVEREIGNTY and FOOD SECURITY Food sovereignty Food sovereignty refers to the right of individuals, communities, and nations to determine their own agricultural and food systems. This concept emphasizes local control over agricultural labor, fishing practices, food production, land use, and related policies. It promotes ecologically sustainable, socially equitable, economically viable, and culturally appropriate practices tailored to the unique circumstances of each community. Food security Food security ensures that food is consistently available, accessible, and adequate to meet the nutritional needs of all individuals. It involves providing food that meets acceptable standards of quantity, quality, and variety while respecting cultural preferences. This approach focuses on ensuring that everyone has the resources and opportunities to obtain nutritious food at all times. II.c POPULATION GROWTH and FOOD SECURITY Today’s global population has reached 8.2 Billion (Worldometer, 2024). The world population is projected to reach 8.5 billion in 2030, and to increase further to 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion by 2100. The world’s population is more than three times larger than it was in the mid-twentieth century. The global human population reached 8.0 billion in mid-November 2022 from an estimated 2.5 billion people in 1950, adding 1 billion people since 2010 and 2 billion since 1998. The world’s population is expected to increase by nearly 2 billion persons in the next 30 years, from the current 8 billion to 9.7 billion in 2050 and could peak at nearly 10.4 billion in the mid-2080s. This dramatic growth has been driven largely by increasing numbers of people surviving to reproductive age, the gradual increase in human lifespan, increasing urbanization, and accelerating migration. Major changes in fertility rate have accompanied this growth. These trends will have far-reaching implications for generations to come. According to Claudio and Abinales (2018), 95% of this population growth will happen in developing countries. On the other hand, the opposite is happening in the developed world, where populations remain steady in general, but declining in some of the most advanced countries such as Japan and Singapore. However, this scenario is not a run-off that could get out of control. Demographers predict that the world population will stabilize by 2050 to 9 billion, although they warn that feeding this population will be an immense challenge. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that in order for countries to mitigate the impact of population growth, food production must increase by 70 percent; annual cereal production must rise to 3 billion tons, and yearly meat production must reach 470 million tons. The FAO recommends the following to countries in order to help mitigate this issue: Increase investments in agriculture, Craft long term policies aimed at fighting poverty, Invest in research and development The UN body also suggests…  Develop a comprehensive social service program that includes food assistance, consistent delivery of health services, and education especially for the poor. If domestic production is not enough, it becomes essential for nations to import. The FAO, therefore, enjoins the government to keep their markets open, and to eventually “move towards a global trading system that is fair and competitive, and that contributes to a dependable market for food.” III. WHAT IS MIGRATION? Migration The word migration is derived from the Latin verb migrare, meaning “to move from one place to another.” This refers to the movement of people from one place to another with the intention of settling, permanently or temporarily in a new location. Usually it’s for better opportunities, safety, or living conditions. Questions floating around it: Why do people leave their homes, and how does it affect the country they leave? Is migration a chance for a better life or a way to escape problems? What if migration was seen as a way to bring new ideas and skills back to the home country? Can money sent back by migrants and global connections help the home country grow in the long run? What challenges do sending countries face when their best workers and thinkers move abroad? Types of Migration 1. Internal Migration 2. International Migration 1. Internal Migration This refers to people moving from one area to another within one country. This could be driven by various factors such as seeking better job opportunities, escaping natural disasters, or pursuing education. A common example is people moving from rural provinces to cities like Manila or Cebu in search of work or a higher standard of living. Farmers from provinces like Bohol or Iloilo may migrate to Metro Manila to work in the service sector, or young people from smaller towns may move to cities for college education, hoping to return home with new skills. Migration Patterns In understanding migration patterns, the National Migration Survey (NMS) categorizes migration into different 3 types based on timing and duration. 1. Lifetime Migration This refers to migration that occurred at any point between birth and the time of the survey. Example: If someone was born in Cebu, moved to Manila for work, but then returned to Cebu years later, their migration would be counted as a move, even though they now live back in their birthplace.  2. Migration lasting at least three months This is the focus of the NMS analysis. Example: A person who moves from Iloilo to Cebu for a job and stays for several years would be counted as a migrant under this category, because their stay is long-term and they are likely adjusting to life in Cebu. 3. Migration that happened in the last five years. While Lifetime Migration provides a broad view, it has limitations—specifically, it may overlook individuals who lived elsewhere for some time but now reside in their birthplace, thus masking migration behaviors. Example: If someone moved from Davao to Quezon City for a new job within the last five years, they would be counted as a recent migrant. This category helps show more immediate changes in migration patterns, such as moving for work or better living conditions. 2. International migration This refers to the movement of people across borders, typically driven by the pursuit of better job opportunities, higher wages, or the desire to reunite with family members. A well-known example is the large number of Filipino workers, known as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), who migrate to countries like Saudi Arabia, the United States, or Canada for employment in fields such as healthcare, construction, and domestic work. Many Filipinos also migrate permanently to places like the United States or Australia for better living conditions or to reunite with family members. This form of migration has significant economic and social impacts on both the migrants and their home country, with remittances playing a crucial role in supporting families back here in the Philippines. The emotional and financial connection between migrants and their families is often symbolized by the popular "Balik Bayan Boxes," which are sent home to provide gifts and essential goods. Categories of Migrants 1. Immigrants This refers to people who move to another country to live there permanently. They often choose to settle in a new country for better opportunities, safety, or a better life. Example: A Filipino family who moves to Canada to live permanently, hoping for better job opportunities and a safer environment, is an immigrant. 2. Workers (e.g., OFWs) These are people who go to another country to work for a specific period, usually for a few years. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are a common example, as they move abroad to earn money and support their families back in the Philippines. Example: A Filipino nurse who goes to Saudi Arabia to work for five years is an OFW, planning to return to the Philippines once their work contract ends. 3. Illegal Immigrants These are people who move to another country without the proper legal documents or permission to stay. They often enter a country without a visa or overstaying their allowed time. Example: A Filipino who enters the United States without a visa and stays there longer than allowed would be considered an illegal immigrant.  4. Petitioned Migrants These are people who move to another country because they were invited or sponsored by a family member, employer, or government. The "petition" is a formal request for their move. Example: A Filipino who gets a visa to join their spouse in Australia after their spouse petitions them is a petitioned migrant. 5. Refugees (Asylum Seekers) These are people who are forced to leave their home country because of war, violence, or natural disasters. They move to another country to seek protection and safety. Example: A family from Syria fleeing from war who moves to Germany to ask for asylum is considered a refugee. They are seeking protection because their home country is unsafe. IV. BENEFITS and DETRIMENTS for the SENDING COUNTRIES Benefits Remittances make significant contributions to the development of small and medium-term industries that help generate jobs { Remittances help families start small businesses or improve local industries. For example, a relative working abroad may send money to help a family in Bohol open a sari-sari store, creating jobs in the community.} Change the economic and social standing of migrants { Migrants can earn more abroad and improve their family's standard of living. For instance, an OFW working in Dubai can send money to build a better home or pay for their children's education.} Detriments Remittances do not rebalance growth. While remittances help families, they don't fix the bigger economic problems. For example, a family in Cebu may benefit temporarily, but local job opportunities still remain limited. Brain Drain means loss of professionals because they choose to migrate. Highly skilled workers, like doctors and nurses, often migrate for better opportunities, leaving the Philippines short of professionals. Many Filipino nurses move to the U.S., leading to a shortage of healthcare workers at home. Human trafficking. Millions of men, women, & children became victims of forced labor. Some migrants are tricked into forced labor through human trafficking. For example, someone might be promised a job abroad but end up in abusive working conditions. Integration. Creation of networks that exacerbate differences and discrimination, it can be good or bad depending on the country where you migrate. Migrants sometimes face discrimination or struggle to fit in. A Filipino worker in Japan might experience cultural barriers or prejudice, making it hard to adjust. Xenophobia is the fear or dislike of foreigners. Migrants can face hostility or unfair treatment in host countries. In Italy, for instance, Filipino workers may be seen as competition, leading to resentment from local workers.  Governments know that relying on migrant work has long-term drawbacks but continue to promote it because remittances significantly boost the economy. Migration is not the same for everyone—some migrants, like highly educated professionals, find it financially rewarding, while others may face hardships, such as trafficking or forced labor, and feel displaced. Just like globalization, migration has both positive and negative effects. As countries become more interconnected, migration will remain a major issue in the world. IV.a HUMAN TRAFFICKING Human Trafficking This is the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation. Facts and Figures on Human Trafficking 27.6 million are in forced labor. 236 billion USD is generated in illegal profits every year. 3.9 million of forced labor is state imposed. 39.4% of them are women and girls. ○ 4.9 million in forced commercial sexual exploitation. ○ 6 million in other economic sectors. 12% are children (3.3 million). ○ More than half of these children are forced into commercial sexual exploitation. There is 3 times more risk of forced labor for migrant workers. Common recruitment methods Five common recruitment methods to lure victims into the scamming compounds have been identified by Humanity Research Consultancy, who work directly with victims. 1. The first method is to recruit through legal, primary job-matching websites where traffickers pretend to be regular companies such as gaming companies recruiting workers. 2. The second method is to recruit through private job-matching groups on social media and other online platforms where traffickers approach and lure victims. 3. The third method involves recruiting victims through personal networks. Some victims reported being invited by their university or high school friends who were already working in Cambodia or Myanmar. In other cases, victims were assigned to the ‘human resource’ department in the scamming compound and were forced to lure 5 to 10 more victims to join the company. 4. The fourth recruitment method involves traffickers posing as a potential client to lure professionals. Traffickers pretend to be potential customers, inviting magicians, interior designers, and tour guides to visit Cambodia and provide services. 5. Lastly, victims can be kidnapped on the street.  Some victims were kidnapped during their visit to Cambodia and forced to work in the scamming compounds. These recruitment methods demonstrate the lengths that traffickers will go to exploit vulnerable individuals for profit. It is imperative that law enforcement agencies, nonprofits and government agencies work together to crack down on these criminal activities and bring those responsible to justice. IV.b INTEGRATION Integration Migrants contribute significantly to a host nation’s GDP, but their access to housing, health care, and education is not easy. Democratic states assimilate immigrants and their children by granting them citizenship and the rights that go with it (especially public education). CONCLUSION The demography of nations plays a crucial role in understanding their social and economic structures. Family dynamics, lifestyle choices, and population trends influence the economic and social policies that governments create to manage their populations. Both demography and population growth are fundamental to understanding migration patterns. Population growth is driven not only by birth rates but also by migration, with rural-to-urban movements or migration from developing to developed countries being key factors. The study of overpopulation and its impact on national development is deeply connected to broader global issues, including economic growth, women’s reproductive rights, and food security. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) advocates for an open global market to ensure fair trade and food security, aligning with the principles of globalization. Governments acknowledge the long-term challenges posed by overpopulation but often continue to promote migration policies due to the significant economic contributions of remittances, which boost national GDP. Migration is uneven, with globalization creating varied experiences for migrants. For highly educated professionals, migration can be financially rewarding, while others may face hardships such as trafficking or forced labor, making their migration experience one of sacrifice and disempowerment. Just as globalization has both positive and negative aspects, migration also produces mixed outcomes, with some benefiting while others suffer. As global interdependence grows, migration will remain a key issue in the contemporary world, shaping economies and societies in complex ways.  REFERENCES Aguinaldo, M., Cabalatungan, S., Lazaro, A., Nabong, G., Santero, G. M., & Tena, M. (n.d.) Instructional material for GEED 10043 Contemporary world. Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Clack, N., Friedman, M., & Keeler, M. (2023). From fake job ads to human trafficking. Mekong Club. https://themekongclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/From_Fake_Job_Ads_to_Human_Traffickin g_The_Horrifying_Reality_of_the_Human_Trafficking_Scam_Trade_2023.pdf Claudio, L. E., & Abinales, P. N. (2018) The Contemporary world. South Triangle, Q.C.C & E Publishing, Inc. International Labor Organization. (n.d.). Data and research on forced labour. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://www.ilo.org/topics/forced-labour-modern-slavery-and-trafficking-persons/data-and-research-f orced-labour United Nations (n.d.) Population. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/population World population projections - Worldometer. (n.d.). https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/world-population-projections/