migration consequences

migration consequences

1. country of origin

   • economic
     • The area benefits from remittences sent home
     • Upon return, migrants bring new skills to the country such as the ability to speak foreign languages.These new skills can help to improve the economy in the country of origin.
     • There is less pressure on resources such as food and social services such as health care.
     • Loss of young workforce; those with skills and those with entrepreneurial talents move, slowing economic development.
     • Loss of labour may reduce inward investment by private companies, increasing dependencies on government initiatives.
   • social
     • Population density is reduced and birth rate falls as it’s the younger population who migrates. This can help ease overpopulation.
     • Population density is reduced and birth rate falls as it’s the younger population who migrates. This can help ease overpopulation.
     • Returning migrants increase social expectations for communities, for example, increasing demand for better leisure facilities.
     • Marriage rates fall and family structures break down as men migrate producing a generation of single mums.
     • Lots of young people migrating out of the country can increase the dependency ratio.
     • Returning retired migrants may increase social costs on the community as support mechanisms aren’t in place for them.
     • Migration of men and young families can cause a loss of cultural leadership and traditions.
   • political
     • Policies to encourage natural increase can be developed.
     • Policies to encourage immigration to counteract outflow.
     • Requests for international aid.

2. Country of destination

   • economic
     • Migrants take up less desirable, menial jobs which natives would not take but need filling.
     • The host country can gain skilled labour for cheap.
     • There is a labour surplus; those with skills and education fuel the economy.
     • The “skill gap” in many host countries can be filled by migrants.
     • Costs of retirement can be transferred to the country of origin.
     • Migrant children must be educated, they won’t necessarily speak the native language of the host country.
     • There is an over dependency in some industries on migrant labour, leading to a lack of jobs for people native to the host country.
     • Much of the money earned by the migrants isn’t spent in the host country and is instead sent back to the country of origin.
     • More people increase the pressure on resources and services such as health care systems.
   • political
     • •Discrimination agains ethnic groups & minorities which can lead to civil unrest and extremism.
     • Calls for control on immigration
     • Entrenchment of attitudes which may encourage fundamentalism.
   • social
     • The creation of a multiethnic society increases understanding and tolerance of other cultures
     • There is an influx of new or revitalised services e.g. Kebab shops & Turkish baths.
     • People from other countries can encourage the learning of new languages, helping people develop skills for working internationally.
     • The dominance of males is reinforced (due to the large number of male migrants), especially in cultures where women already have a low status.
     • Aspects of cultural identity are lost, especially in second generation children.
     • Segregated ethnic areas are created e.g. China Town. Schools become dominated by migrant children.