History of Migration
History of Migration
History of Migration
o Humans have been migrating throughout history, starting from ancient times.
o Many early human societies were nomadic or hunter-gatherer communities. These groups
moved from place to place in search of resources like food, water, and shelter.
o Migration also occurred due to trade and exploration. Ancient civilizations like the
Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans established trade routes and colonies. This led to the
movement of people across regions and continents.
o The period of European colonization from the 15th to the 20th century resulted in large-
scale migrations. European powers established colonies in various parts of the world. This
led to the forced migration of enslaved Africans, indentured laborers, and settlers.
o The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries brought significant changes to
migration patterns. People moved from rural areas to cities in search of employment in
industries.
o In the 20th and 21st centuries, migration has been influenced by various factors. This
includes globalization, political conflicts, economic disparities, and advancements in
transportation and communication.
underemployment are the major factors pushing the migrants towards areas
high man-land ratio has been widely recognised as one of the important causes
of poverty and rural outmigration. Thus, almost all studies indicate that most
The most important economic factors that motivate migration may be termed
as ‘Push Factors’ and ‘Pull Factors’. In other words it is to see whether people
pushed them out, or whether they are lured by the attractive conditions in the
Migration
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i) Push Factors
The push factors are those that compel or force a person, due to various reasons,
to leave that place and go to some other place. For example, adverse economic
of natural resources and natural calamities may compel people to leave their
that the main push factor causing the worker to leave agriculture is the lower
over one-third of the rural population is below the poverty line. Due to rapid
increase in population, the per capita availability of cultivable land has declined,
and the numbers of the unemployed and the underemployed in the rural areas
have significantly increased with the result that the rural people are being pushed
rural area is also another factor for migration. In addition to this, the existence
of the joint family system and laws of inheritance, which do not permit the
division of property, may also cause many young men to migrate to cities in
search of jobs. Even sub division of holdings leads to migration, as the holdings
Pull factors refer to those factors which attract the migrants to an area, such as,
and better amenities of life, etc. There is generally cityward migration, when
rapid expansion of industry, commerce and business takes place. In recent years,
the high rate of movement of people from India as well as from other developing
countries to the USA, Canada and now to the Middle-East is due to the better
living. Sometimes the migrants are also attracted to cities in search of better
cultural and entertainment activities or bright city lights. However, pull factors
operate not only in the rural-urban migration, but also in other types of internal
Sometimes a question is asked which factors are more important, push or pull?
Some argue that the push factor is stronger than the pull factor as they feel that
it is the rural problems rather than the urban attractions that play a crucial role
in the shift of the population. On the other hand, those who consider the pull
This classification of motives for migration into push and pull factors is very
may occur not by push or pull factors alone but as a result of the combined
effect of both.
In India, and in some other developing countries also, another important factor
which plays crucial role in migration is ‘push back factor’. In India, according
to Asish Bose, the urban labour force is sizeable, and the urban unemployment
rates are high, and there also exist pools of underemployed persons. All these
factors acts in combination as deterrents to the fresh flow of migration from the
rural to urban areas. He calls this as a ‘push back factor’. He further adds that
if new employment opportunities are created in the urban areas, the first persons
to offer themselves for employment are the marginally employed already residing
Besides these push and pull factors, social and cultural factors also play an
important role in migration. Sometimes family conflicts also cause migration.
and the television, the cinema, the urban-oriented education and resultant change
instance, in our country, the adoption of the jobs for ‘sons of the soil policy’ by
the State governments will certainly affect the migration from other states. The
rise of Shiv Sena in Bombay, with its hatred for the migrants and the occasional
phenomena. Even in Calcutta, the Bengali-Marwari conflict will have farreaching implications.
And now Assam and Tamil Nadu are other such examples.
Thus the political attitudes and outlook of the people also influence migration
to a great extent. There have also been migrations from Kashmir and Punjab
TYPES OF MIGRATION
Internal migration (moving within a state, country, or continent) and external migration
(moving outside of a state, country, or continent) are two types of human migration (moving
to a different state, country, or continent.
Internal Migration
Internal migration is the movement of people within a country from one defined area to
another.
External Migration
Refugee Migration: Involuntary or forced migration to India in the form of refugees has also
been a significant trend.
Migration can have significant impacts on the host country, which can vary depending on the scale,
characteristics, and types of migrants. Here's a detailed look at some of these impacts:
1. Economic Impact:
Labor Market: Migration can affect the host country's labor market dynamics.
Migrants often fill gaps in the labor force, particularly in sectors with labor shortages
or in jobs that locals are unwilling to take. This can contribute to economic growth
and productivity.
Skills and Innovation: Skilled migrants can bring new skills, knowledge, and
innovation to the host country, enhancing its competitiveness and capacity for
technological advancement.
Remittances: Migrants often send remittances to their home countries, which can
have positive impacts on the economy of the host country through increased
consumption and investment.
2. Social Impact:
Cultural Diversity: Migration enriches the cultural fabric of the host country by
introducing new languages, cuisines, customs, and traditions. However, cultural
diversity can also lead to social tensions and conflicts if not managed properly.
Healthcare and Education: Increased migration can put pressure on healthcare and
education systems in the host country, particularly in areas with high concentrations
of migrants. Adequate provision of services is crucial to ensure the well-being and
integration of migrant populations.
Housing and Infrastructure: Migration can strain housing markets and public
infrastructure in the host country, leading to increased demand and potential
shortages. This may result in rising property prices and overcrowding in certain
areas.
3. Political Impact:
Policy Responses: Migration often becomes a politically charged issue, with debates
surrounding immigration policies, border controls, and national identity. Host
countries may implement stricter immigration laws or adopt measures to manage
migration flows.
Public Opinion: Attitudes towards migration vary among the host population,
ranging from acceptance and support to skepticism and hostility. Public opinion can
influence political decisions and shape the discourse on migration-related issues.
4. Economic Sectors:
Canada's immigration system has had significant social, economic, cultural, political, and religious
impacts over the years. Here's a case study highlighting these impacts:
1. Social Impact:
2. Economic Impact:
3. Cultural Impact:
4. Political Impact:
Policy Debates: Immigration policies are often the subject of political debate and
public discourse in Canada. Discussions may center on issues such as immigration
levels, refugee resettlement, integration programs, and border security.
Public Opinion: Attitudes towards immigration vary among Canadians, ranging from
support for multiculturalism and diversity to concerns about economic competition,
social cohesion, and security. Political parties may adopt different stances on
immigration to appeal to their electoral base.
5. Religious Impact:
2. Social impact: The tendency to live within own group and community is responsible for
establishment of enclaves within cities. While diversity is healthy for a city, it can also pose a
risk to social cohesion, cultures and traditions, and to a certain extent to the safety and
security of residents. It can lead to social tension associated with xenophobia and
discrimination.
4. Impact on urban infrastructure and services: Migrants move to cities, can put further
pressure on the already stressed infrastructure. Migration affects the demands on urban
infrastructure and services in both the place of origin and the place of destination. The rapid
population growth results in difficulty to cope with insufficient infrastructure and the needs
of all the people.
o Healthcare: The presence of infectious diseases in migrants causes concern for cities.
Migrants with pre-existing health conditions can strain cities’ healthcare systems.
Further poor slum conditions lead to health issues and epidemic like dengue in
urban areas.
o Energy: Migration also affects energy consumption and CO2 emissions. It put stress
on electricity and fuel demand.
o Sanitation and waste: Migration can exacerbate the challenges of managing sewage
in a city given the growth of the population, but the city cannot always meet the
demand due to insufficient capacity.
Over the last five decades, the estimated number of international migrants has increased.
In 2020, there were an estimated 281 million people living in countries other than their birth
countries, up 128 million from 1990 and more than three times the estimated number in
1970.
Around 87 and 86 million international migrants ended up living in Europe and
Asia, respectively, accounting for 61 % of the global migrant stock.
These were followed by North America, which will account for nearly 59 million international
migrants in 2020, or 21% of the global migrant stock, Africa, which will account for 9%, Latin
America and the Caribbean, which will account for 5%, and Oceania, which will account
for 3%.
The United Nations' International Organisation for Migration publishes the World Migration
Report.
According to the World Migration Report, 30.7 million people were forcibly displaced in 145
countries.
Inter-state migrant workers are afforded certain protections under the ISMW Act.
Migrants who have registered to claim benefits in one location lose access when they move
to another.
The ration card required to access PDS benefits is issued by state governments and is not
transferable between states.
Migrants in urban areas were identified as the largest population in need of housing in cities
by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2015.
Low-income housing options, both for purchase and rental, are in short supply. As a result,
slums and informal settlements spread.
Marginalised Groups
People who are economically well-off and widely accepted sociologically (for example, upper
caste in India or white in Western countries) find it much easier to move and integrate into
other societies.
People who are poor or belong to a marginalised group, on the other hand, find it difficult to
enter many of these countries.
Migrants are frequently rejected by host countries, and they are treated as second-class
citizens.
Migrating to a new country comes with a slew of challenges, ranging from cultural
adaptation to language barriers to homesickness and loneliness.
Migrant workers are denied many opportunities to exercise political rights, such as the right
to vote.
Furthermore, the requirement to provide proof of address, ration cards, voter IDs, and
Aadhaar cards, which is difficult for them to obtain due to the fluidity of their lives, prevents
them from benefiting from welfare schemes and policies.
Creation of Slums
Overcrowding leads to increase in population and reduced housing facilities and eventually
lead to the creation of slums.
Slums are growing in industrialised states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
and Delhi as a result of uncontrolled migration within the country.
Demographic Imbalances
One of the major factors contributing to city population growth is rural-urban migration.
Out Migration from rural areas based on age and skill has a negative impact on the rural
demographic structure.
High outmigration from Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Eastern Maharashtra,
on the other hand, has resulted in serious age and sex imbalances in these states.
Psychological Issues
However, it has serious drawbacks, such as anonymity, which creates a social vacuum and
a sense of despair among individuals.
People who are depressed for a long time may be more likely to engage in anti-social
activities such as crime and drug abuse.
Environmental Issues
Overcrowding in urban areas as a result of rural-urban migration has put a strain on the
existing social and physical infrastructure.
Aside from that, cities are grappling with serious issues such as groundwater depletion, air
pollution, sewage disposal, and solid waste management as a result of over-exploitation of
natural resources.
It aims to address migrant workers' unfair working conditions, such as the need to find work
through middlemen contractors or agents who promise a monthly wage settlement but fail
to pay when the time comes.
Increasing opportunities for rural residents to earn a living: From time to time, the
government has taken various initiatives to alleviate farmer distress and improve rural
livelihood opportunities.
RURBAN Mission: To promote local economic development, improve basic services, and
develop well-planned Rurban clusters (cluster villages).
One of the main goals is to bridge the economic, technological, and facility and service
divides between rural and urban areas.
Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA) : This is a programme that provides urban
amenities to rural areas.
It aims to address the issue of people migrating from rural to urban areas in search of work.
SMART VILLAGES: It is an initiative focused on holistic rural development that has been
adopted by India's national, state, and local governments.
Significance of Migration
Labour Demand and Supply: Migration fills labour supply and demand gaps, efficiently
allocating skilled, unskilled, and low-wage labour.
Skill Development: Migrants' knowledge and skills are enhanced as a result of their exposure
to and interaction with the outside world.
Migrants also send extra money and remittances back home, which has a positive impact on
their home country.
Social Remittances: Migrants' social lives are improved by their exposure to new cultures,
customs, and languages, which promotes brotherhood among people and promotes greater
equality and tolerance.
The United Nations defines “a refugee as every person, who owing to well-founded fear of being
persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or
political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is
unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.”
1. Violence, Conflict, and Persecution: Many refugees and displaced persons flee their homes
due to violence, armed conflict, persecution, or human rights violations. They may have
experienced trauma, loss of loved ones, and exposure to severe forms of violence, which can
have lasting psychological effects.
2. Lack of Legal Protection: Refugees and displaced persons often lack legal protection and may
face barriers to accessing rights and services in their host countries. Some may be at risk of
refoulement (forced return to their home country), detention, or deportation.
3. Loss of Livelihoods and Economic Opportunities: Displacement often results in the loss of
livelihoods and economic opportunities, as refugees and displaced persons may be unable to
work or face restrictions on employment in their host countries. This can lead to poverty,
dependence on aid, and vulnerability to exploitation.
4. Limited Access to Basic Services: Refugees and displaced persons may struggle to access
basic services such as healthcare, education, clean water, and sanitation in their host
countries. Overcrowded refugee camps and informal settlements can exacerbate these
challenges, leading to inadequate living conditions and increased risks of disease outbreaks.
5. Food Insecurity and Malnutrition: Displacement can disrupt food production, distribution,
and access, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition among refugees and displaced
persons. Limited access to nutritious food can have long-term health consequences,
particularly for children and vulnerable groups.
6. Gender-based Violence and Discrimination: Women, girls, and LGBTQ+ individuals among
refugees and displaced populations are often at heightened risk of gender-based violence,
including sexual assault, exploitation, and forced marriage. Discrimination and
marginalization based on gender identity, sexual orientation, or other factors can further
exacerbate their vulnerability.
8. Psychosocial Distress and Mental Health Issues: The experience of displacement, loss,
trauma, and uncertainty can take a toll on the mental health and well-being of refugees and
displaced persons. However, access to mental health services and psychosocial support is
often limited in humanitarian settings.
9. Legal and Administrative Barriers: Refugees and displaced persons may encounter legal and
administrative barriers that hinder their ability to access asylum procedures, obtain
documentation, or secure residency rights in their host countries. Lack of legal status can
leave them at risk of detention, deportation, or statelessness.
10. Social Stigma and Xenophobia: Refugees and displaced persons may face social stigma,
discrimination, and xenophobia in their host communities, which can affect their integration,
sense of belonging, and ability to rebuild their lives. Negative attitudes towards refugees and
migrants can contribute to social tensions and conflicts.
1. Economic Factors:
Labor Mobility: Globalization has facilitated the movement of labor across borders,
driven by economic factors such as demand for skilled workers in developed
countries and opportunities for better wages and employment in emerging
economies.
Global Supply Chains: The integration of economies through global supply chains
has led to the movement of workers across countries to meet labor needs in
industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and services.
2. Technological Advances:
Digital Nomadism: Globalization has enabled the rise of digital nomadism, where
individuals work remotely from different locations around the world. This lifestyle
allows people to move freely across borders while maintaining employment and
income, blurring the lines between work and travel.
3. Cultural Exchange:
Diversity and Pluralism: Globalization has led to increased cultural exchange and
interaction among people from different backgrounds. Migration contributes to
cultural diversity in host countries, enriching societies with new languages, cuisines,
traditions, and perspectives.
Transnational Identities: Migrants often maintain ties to their home countries while
adapting to their new environments, leading to the emergence of transnational
identities. This phenomenon blurs the boundaries between nations and fosters a
sense of interconnectedness among diverse communities.
5. Policy Responses: