The Impact of Migration

1. The Impact of Migration Section 3

2. Learning outcomes • The impact migration has on population size • Impact on population distribution • Impact on service provision • Implications on economic activity • Implications on the physical environment • 2 case studies: Achill Island and Delhi

3. The impact of migration • An area of origin is a place from which emigrants leave • An area of destination is a place to which immigrants go • The process of migration has consequences for both- this can be either positive or negative

4. Impact on population size • An area of origin must inevitably grow les quickly if some people leave • However 10 million people moved from LEDCs to MEDCs between 1995-2000- this did not affect overall numbers in general as growth rates are relatively high • LEDCs are mainly affected by rural- urban migration- the rural areas being left behind.

5. Impact on population distribution • Migration also affects population distribution. • Mainly at a national scale as opposed to a global scale. • Rural- urban migration • MEDCs trend in reverse, now have counterurbanisation.

6. Implications for service provision • Service provision can include shops (commercial), and also public facilities such as health, education and justice • Threshold population needs to be considered for each area to ensure it is viable to have a service • Areas suffering from emigration may find their commercial services cut first • Public services may survive longer as it is the state’s responsibility to provide • Modern day society has witnessed primary schools, hospitals closing and people have to travel further to obtain these services.

7. Implications for economic activities • Affected by out- migration particularly the rural areas • E.g. farming in LEDCs- the rural economy suffers as young adults move to the city in search of work. • Positive side to migration- the origin country receives remittances back fro the migrants e.g. Mexico received $8million from migrants in the USA

8. Implications for the physical environment • Out migration can bring environmental problems if land and property is abandoned, water control systems neglected etc.

9. Out- migration: a spiral of decline • Out migration of the young • Ageing population • Low birth rates • Long term population decline • Reduced demand for goods and services • Les opportunity for economic activity • Reduced competitiveness • High transport costs • Increased cost of living • Less attractive place to live

10. Impact on receiving areas- positive • New people in the area- increased demand for commercial services • New workers • Increased trade • Cheap labour

11. Impact on receiving areas- negative • Public service under too much pressure • Accommodation problems- shanty towns • Health and education services under pressure • Pressure on water and sewage systems • Transport and infrastructure becomes overloaded • Pollution

12. Case studies • Keeping this information in mind- look at two case studies • Out- migration and the impact on Achill Island, Ireland • In- Migration and the impact on Delhi, India