MIGRATION and URBANIZATION

Ann Maureen Samm-Regis

Form 4

POPULATION AND MIGRATION: OBJECTIVES

1. Describe the structure and characteristics of a population (age, sex, occupation, ethnicity, religion, dependency ratio)

2. Explain the factors affecting population distribution (relief, climate, fertility, availability of mineral resources, developed areas, vegetation types etc)

3. Outline the factors influencing population change (birth rate, death rate, migration)

4. Explain the causes and consequences of migration (push and pull factors) to the individual, the host country and to the country of origin)

5. Discuss the push-pull factors involved in migration among Caribbean countries and between the Caribbean and other parts of the world

6. Outline the sources of population statistics (National census, Registrar’s office, Records of religious institutions, Office of Naturalization etc)

7. Outline the uses of population statistics (planning for housing, health care, education, employment, social welfare, infrastructural development etc)

MIGRATION• Migration is the movement of people from one

place to another in order to settle.

Three main types of migration:

1) Internal: migration within one country

2) Regional: migration from one Caribbean country to another

3) International: movement from a country in one part of the world to a country in another part of the world

Modules pg. 273

REASONS WHY PEOPLE MIGRATE

• To further their education

• To look for better paid employment

• To join family members who are already overseas

• To experience another culture and way of life

West Indies: Migration

▪ Amerindians

▪ Europeans (Spanish, French, Dutch, British)

▪ Africans

▪ Chinese

▪ Portuguese

▪ East Indians

Factors Affecting Migration

Factors Affecting Migration

PUSH FACTORSReasons people leave a place:• Natural disasters• Unemployment• Racial and religious discrimination• Poor educational, health, housing

and recreational facilities• Lack of technology and natural

resources• Political instability/corruption• High cost of living• Crime• War, civil unrest• Poverty

PULL FACTORSReasons people are attracted to a place:• High wages• High standard of health facilities• Many educational opportunities• Proper infrastructure• Recreational facilities• Technological advancement• Employment opportunities• Attractive social security benefits• Low levels of crime• Political stability

EMIGRATION: The movement of people out of a country.

ADVANTAGES

1. Unemployment levels are lowered in the home country

2. Foreign exchange earnings are boosted when immigrants repatriate money to their families (remittances: money sent home by immigrants)

DISADVANTAGES

1. Loss of the skilled sectors of the population → shortage of skilled staff(brain drain: emigration of educated and skilled workers)

2. Money spent on the education of the emigrants does not redound to the benefit of the home country

3. Additional money must be spent by the government to train persons to replace those lost to emigration

4. Emotional trauma suffered by children left in the care of relatives when their parents migrate

THE “BRAIN DRAIN’’

• People find it easier to get a

migrant visa if they have:

➢ A strong family connection

e.g. a parent, who already

lives in the country

➢ Good health and a good

education

➢ A professional qualification

IMMIGRATION: movement of people into a country

ADVANTAGES

1) Brain Gain

➢ Skilled personnel brought in as immigrants assist the economic development of the country

2) Cultural Diversity: immigrants from different countries add flavour to the culture of the country

DISADVANTAGES

1) Racial and religious conflicts may arise

2) If immigrants are marginalised, this may result in violence and social turmoil

3) The predominant culture of the host country may be lost

4) Pressure is put on the host country to provide more housing, health and recreational facilities

Caribbean migration

Countries with a large number of migrants

• Trinidad and Tobago

• The Bahamas

• Antigua-Barbuda

• The Cayman islands

CSME

• Allows workers to move freely between CARICOM countries, if they have a skills certificate

• Allows entrepreneurs to set up new businesses anywhere in the region (right of establishment)

Internal Migration

• Internal migration takes place within one country. Examples include:

1) Rural-urban migration

2) Urban-rural migration (return flow

3) Urban-suburban migration:

➢ Since mid-20th century: high crime rates, poor housing conditions

➢ Internal migration results in urbanisation.

➢ Urbanisation is an increase in the proportion of the population living in towns and cities as a result of migration from rural areas to cities.

➢ Urban: connected with towns and cities

➢ Rural: connected with the countryside

URBANISATION

• In the Caribbean rapid urbanisation took place in the early and mid-20th century. Cities such as Kingston and Georgetown grew rapidly. New urban areas were developed such as Linden in Guyana and Freeport in the Bahamas.

• Today urbanisation in the Caribbean has slowed:– People are moving from urban areas to the suburbs– Some rural areas are prosperous e.g. because of

tourism, and attract migrants

• Name one rural, urban, and suburban area in T&T. Which type of area do you live in?

Discuss the following:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in:a) Urban areas

b) Rural areas

c) Suburban areas

2. Have any suburban areas in your country developed rapidly in recent years? Give examples of residential, employment, educational, entertainment, or shopping facilities in these areas. How are they different from older suburban areas?

Attractions of urban areas (Pull factors)

• Availability of white collar jobs

• Proper infrastructure – roads, water, electricity etc

• Availability of social services – health, education, recreation, postal services, and police stations

• A wide variety of entertainment and night life facilities

Conditions in the rural areas (Push factors)

• Scarcity of jobs except in agriculture and most people consider agricultural occupations to be low-paying, laborious, risky and menial

• Lack of infrastructure (poor roads, irregular water and electricity supplies)

• Poor facilities in education, health and security

• Lack of entertainment and educational facilities

Problems of urbanisation

• Overcrowding in the cities and their suburbs

• Shortage of housing facilities and development of slums

• Rising unemployment levels

• Rising pollution levels due to the high concentration of population

• Pressure on educational and recreational facilities

• Traffic congestion

• Rise in the level of crime

Ways of reducing the problems associated with urbanisation

1. Establishment of industries and erection of industrial estates in rural areas

2. Development of proper infrastructure in rural areas such as roads, electricity and water

3. Providing social facilities such as schools, health centres, recreational parks and postal services in rural areas

4. Urban upgrading projects to replace shanty towns/slums with low income housing

5. Establishment of parks and green spaces in cities and towns6. Park and ride7. Mass transport (buses, trains, tramways)8. Decentralisation of government offices9. Investment in agriculture: Assisting farmers to improve

production by providing loans, fertilizers, planting materials etc.