The ‘regional restructuring’ explanation emphasises the role of the new organisation of production, the changing spatial division of labour and the increasing importance of service industries. l The ‘de-concentration’ explanation highlights the lowering of institutional and technological barriers to rural location.
5 Migration
l
While all three explanations have their merits the third factor is viewed as the most important.
Now test yourself
Tested
15 With reference to Figure 5.5: (a) To what extent is rural–urban migration selective? (b) Why can ‘support costs’ flow from village to city. 16 What are remittances? 17 How can rural–urban migration impact on population structures? 18 Give an example of a country where stepped migration has occurred. 19 List the three explanations for counterurbanisation.
Answers on p.216
5.3 International migration Voluntary and forced migration Voluntary migration
International migration is a major global issue. In the past it has had a huge impact on both donor and receiving nations. In terms of the receiving countries the consequences have generally been beneficial. But today few countries favour a large influx of outsiders for a variety of reasons. Currently, one in every 35 people around the world is living outside the country of their birth. This amounts to about 175 million people, higher than ever before. Recent migration data show the following: l With the growth in the importance of labour-related migration and international student mobility, migration has become increasingly temporary and circular in nature. l The spatial impact of migration has spread, with an increasing number of countries affected either as points of origin or destination. l The proportion of female migrants has steadily increased (now over 47% of all migrants). l The great majority of international migrants from developed countries go to other affluent nations. Migration from less developed countries is more or less equally split between more and less developed countries (Figure 5.8). The movement between less developed countries is usually from weaker to stronger economies. l Developed countries have reinforced controls, partly in response to security issues, but also to combat illegal immigration.
Revised Voluntary migration occurs when the individual or household has a free choice about whether to move or not. Forced migration occurs when the individual or household has little or no choice but to move.
Migrants from MEDCs Millions 14
To LEDCs To MEDCs
53
0 10 20 30 Migrants from LEDCs Millions
40
50
60
To LEDCs
61
To MEDCs
62
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
70
Figure 5.8 Origin and destination of international migrants, 2005
Globalisation has led to an increased awareness of opportunities in other countries. Each receiving country has its own sources of migration – the results of historical, economic and geographical relationships.
Forced migration
The abduction and transport of Africans to the Americas as slaves was the largest forced migration in history. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries 15 million people were shipped across the Atlantic Ocean as slaves. Even in Paper 1 Core Geography
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