What Is Migration?

Definition

• Migration 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.

Reasons

• Some 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.

Types

• Migrations 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).

The Migration Model

• Migration is the permanent or semi-permanent movement from one place to another. This can be within the same country, or be between countries.

• The country or place from which the migrant begins is called the origin.

• The country or place to which the migrant travels is called the destination.

• In between the origin and the destination the migrant is described as being en-route.

Making Decisions

• The decision to migrate can be a very complex one, or could simply be for one reason.

• The migration normally involves considering the positive aspects of the move (called the pull factors) and the negative reasons for the move (called the push factors).

Push Vs Pull

• Push factors are the things encouraging someone to move from a place. These include losing your job, having few friends remaining in the area, the cost of living, poor resources and no employment prospects.

• Pull factors are the things that entice someone to a new place. They could include such things as a warmer climate, better job prospects, a larger salary, better standard of living, more friends and family, better public services.

En-Route Factors

• En-route factors, or intervening obstacles, are things that might hinder the migration.

• These could include transport difficulties, passport and visa requirements and a lack of sufficient money to complete the migration.