Migration and Globalisation

This lesson examines the relationship between migration and globalisation, exploring how global economic integration drives population movement and how migration, in turn, shapes globalisation. It addresses the Edexcel Enquiry Question: "What are the consequences of globalisation for countries and different groups of people?"

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Migration in a Globalised World

Migration — the permanent or semi-permanent movement of people from one place to another — is both a cause and a consequence of globalisation. The movement of people across borders transfers labour, skills, culture, ideas and money between countries.

Global Migration Statistics

Indicator	Figure
International migrants worldwide	~281 million (2023, UN) — 3.6% of world population
Internal migrants (within countries)	~763 million (IOM estimate)
Refugees and asylum seekers	~110 million (UNHCR, 2023) — the highest ever recorded
Remittances to LICs/MICs	~$656 billion (2022, World Bank)
Top destination country	USA (~51 million foreign-born residents)
Top origin country	India (~18 million emigrants)

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Types of Migration

Type	Definition	Example
Economic migration	Voluntary movement to seek better employment or higher income	Polish workers migrating to the UK after EU enlargement (2004)
Forced migration / refugees	Movement compelled by conflict, persecution or natural disaster	Syrian refugees — over 6.5 million fled since 2011
Rural–urban migration	Movement from countryside to cities, usually within the same country	Millions moving to Chinese cities — China's urban population grew from 17% (1978) to 65% (2023)
Skilled migration	Movement of highly educated/qualified individuals	Indian IT professionals migrating to Silicon Valley
Irregular/undocumented migration	Migration without legal authorisation	Central American migrants crossing the US–Mexico border
Temporary / circular migration	Short-term movement for seasonal work or fixed-term contracts	Gulf States' migrant workers — Qatar's population is ~90% foreign-born
Return migration	Migrants returning to their country of origin	Indian tech entrepreneurs returning from Silicon Valley to Bangalore

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Why People Migrate: Push and Pull Factors

graph LR
    subgraph Push Factors - Origin Country
    A[Poverty / Low wages]
    B[Unemployment]
    C[Conflict / Persecution]
    D[Environmental hazards]
    E[Lack of services]
    end
    subgraph Pull Factors - Destination Country
    F[Higher wages / Jobs]
    G[Political stability / Safety]
    H[Better education / Healthcare]
    I[Family reunification]
    J[Perceived better quality of life]
    end
    A --> F
    B --> F
    C --> G
    D --> G
    E --> H

Intervening Obstacles and Opportunities

Migration is not simply a response to push and pull factors. Lee's Model of Migration (1966) identifies:

• Intervening obstacles: Physical barriers (oceans, deserts, mountains), political barriers (visa requirements, border controls), cost of travel, language barriers, family ties.
• Intervening opportunities: Places along the migration route that may attract migrants before they reach their intended destination.
• Personal factors: Age, gender, education, personality, risk tolerance, family situation all influence migration decisions.

Exam Tip: Lee's model is a useful framework for structuring answers about migration. However, always evaluate it: the model simplifies complex decisions, assumes rational decision-making, and does not adequately account for forced migration where there is no real "choice".

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Migration and Economic Globalisation

Labour Migration and the Global Economy

The global shift has created demand for migrant workers at both ends of the skill spectrum:

Type of Labour Demand	Example	Driver
Low-skilled labour in NICs/NEEs	Rural–urban migration in China, factory workers in Bangladesh	Industrialisation, TNC demand for cheap labour
Low-skilled labour in HICs	Migrant farmworkers in Spain, care workers in the UK	Ageing populations, native workers unwilling to do certain jobs
Skilled labour in HICs	Indian engineers in Silicon Valley, Filipino nurses in the NHS	Skills shortages, professional opportunities
Elite/highly skilled	International bankers in London, academics moving between universities	Global labour market for professionals

Case Study: EU Free Movement and Polish Migration to the UK

Following the EU enlargement in 2004 (when Poland and seven other Central/Eastern European countries joined), the UK, Ireland and Sweden immediately opened their labour markets to citizens of the new member states.

• Between 2004 and 2020, approximately 800,000+ Polish nationals registered to work in the UK.
• Polish migrants filled labour shortages in agriculture, food processing, construction, hospitality and logistics.
• They contributed to economic growth — studies estimated that EU migrants contributed £20 billion more in taxes than they received in benefits between 2001 and 2011.
• However, concerns about migration were a significant factor in the Brexit vote (2016) — 52% voted to leave the EU.

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Remittances

Remittances are money transfers sent by migrants back to their families in their country of origin. They are a major global financial flow:

Key Statistics	Detail
Total global remittances	~$656 billion to LICs and MICs (2022, World Bank)
Top receiving countries (total)	India ($111 billion), Mexico ($111billion),Mexico(61 billion), China ($51 billion), Philippines ($51billion),Philippines(38 billion)
Top receiving countries (% of GDP)	Tonga (44%), Lebanon (36%), Tajikistan (32%), Samoa (31%)
Top sending countries	USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland

Positive Impacts of Remittances

• Poverty reduction: Remittances are often spent on food, housing, education and healthcare, directly improving living standards.
• Multiplier effect: Spending by recipients stimulates local economies.
• Stability: Remittances are more stable than FDI or aid — they continue even during economic downturns in the origin country.
• Investment: Some remittances fund small businesses, housing construction or agricultural improvements.
• For some countries, remittances exceed FDI and overseas development aid combined.

Negative Impacts of Remittances