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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?"
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.
| 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) |
| 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 |
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
Migration is not simply a response to push and pull factors. Lee's Model of Migration (1966) identifies:
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".
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 |
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.
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 (111billion),Mexico(61 billion), China (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 |
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