Migration affects bot the area of origin and the area of desintation. The effects of migration are social, economic and politial
Issues of economic migration: source country
Economic costs include:
· The loss of young adult labour force
· The loss of those with skills and entrepreneurial talents, which may slow economic development
· Regions where-out migration takes place may suffer from a spiral decline that is difficult to halt
· The loss of labour may deter inward investment by private organisation, increasing dependence on governmental initiatives
Economic benefits include:
· Reduced under-employment in the source country
· Returning migrants bring new skills to the country, which may help to revitalise the home economy
· Many migrants send remittances home and much of this money is reinvested in the some economy in projects such as new buildings and services
· There is less pressure on resources in the area, including basic supplies such as food essential services such as healthcare
Social costs include:
· The perceived benefits of migration encourage more of the same generation to migrate, which has a
detrimental effect on social structure
· There is a disproportionate number of females left behind
· The non-return of migrants causes an imbalance in the population pyramid
· Returning retired migrants may impose a social cost on the community if support mechanisms are not
in place to cater for them
Social benefits include:
· The population density is reduced and the birth rate decreases , as t is the younger adults who
migrate
· Remittances sent home by economic migrants can finance improved education and health
facilities
· Returning retired migrants increase social expectations in the community, for example, the demand for better leisure facilities
Political effects include:
· Policies to encourage natural increase
· Policies to encourage immigration to counteract outflow or to develop resources
· Requests for international aid
Issues of economic migration: destination country
Economic costs include:
· The costs of educating the migrants’ children have to be home
· There is an over-dependence of some industries on migrant labour, e.g. the construction in the UK
· Much of the money earned, including pension payments, is repatriated to the country of origin
· Increased numbers of people add to the pressure on resources, such as health services and education
Economic benefits include:
· Economic migrants tend to take up the less desirable jobs
· The host country gains skilled labour at reduced cost
· The ‘skills gap’ that exists in many host countries is filled by qualified migrants
· Costs of retirement are transferred back to the source country
Social costs include:
· The dominance of males is reinforced, especially in countries where the status of women is low – for
example, in the Persian Gulf states
· Aspects of cultural identity are lost, particularly among second-generation migrants
· Segregated areas of similar ethnic groups are created, and schools are dominated by migrant
children
Social benefits include:
· Creation of a multi-ethnic society increases understanding of other cultures
· There is an influx of new and/or revitalised providers of local services – for example, Turkish baths and local corner shops
· There is a growth of ethnic retailing and areas associated with ethnic food outlets – for example,
the ‘curry mile’ in Rusholme, Manchester
Political effects include:
· Discrimination against ethnic groups and minorities which may lead to civil unrest and
extremism
· Call for controls on immigration
· Entrenchment of attitudes which may encourage
fundamentalism