NAPARIMA COLLEGE MIGRATION PREPARED BY: MS. A.

RAMJOHN

Migration

Objective 7: Definition of in-migration and out-migration and types of migration (regional

and international):
(a) Reasons for in and out migration: push and pull factors (economic, social, and political)
with relevant examples of origin of migrants and main destinations of migrants.
(b) Consequences of in and out migration: economic and social impacts.

• Migration is the movement of individuals from place to place.

• Migration is usually applied to persons who move to a new place, mainly a new country,
with the intention of remaining there permanently or at least for a year.
• Migration may be short-term, for instance, commuting to work daily or going on a holiday.
This can be termed “circulation”.
• Migration may also be long-term as highlighted in the second point.
• Migration can be voluntary or in some cases forced. Voluntary migration refers to
individuals that identify the advantages and disadvantages before deciding to leave one
place and move to another. The reasons for this may vary from person to person, but is
mainly due to employment opportunities, better life opportunities or simply living closer
to relatives.
• On the other hand, migration may be forced. This may result from natural disasters,
political persecution and ‘ethnic cleansing’.
• Emigrants- individuals who move out of a country.
• Immigrants- individuals who move into a country.

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Migration from the Caribbean

In the Caribbean, there seems to be a flow of international migrants to the USA, Canada, Britain
and other countries. There are various reasons for this:

• Short-term Migration- people leave for career-related opportunities, further education

and skilled training, work experience. They have plans of returning home at some time,
therefore save their money for when that happens.
• Long-term Migration- permanent move because of career opportunities.
• Family reasons. People of a working age have made success in a new country and will
send for parents, children or relatives to join them for a better life.
• Historical aspect. From the colonial era, there has been net migration in the Caribbean.
Spain settled in the Caribbean, brought Africans with them and the evolution of migration
stem from that point. As a result, persons then left the Caribbean for work mainly in
Europe and there was a large settlement of persons after the abolition of slavery. In the
1950’s, approximately 170,000 Caribbean-born people were found to be living in the UK.
• Migration flows are not one-way. There is also in-migration into the Caribbean, for
professional or personal reasons.

Migration within the Caribbean

Regional migration flows are also common among Caribbean countries. This is because of:

• Highly paid professionals will go to countries in the Caribbean where work is readily
available. These countries include Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas.
• Countries that have labor shortages attract educated and trained personnel, that go in
search of maximizing on their advantages. Countries include, Guyana, Turks and Caicos,
Cayman Islands and Aruba.
• People from Haiti and Dominica Republic move to islands in Northern Caribbean.
• Work permits are usually needed. However, due to CARICOM incentives, these members
have agreed free movement for some groups such as university graduates, media,
entertainment and sport.

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PUSH factors (encouraging people to leave PULL factors (attracting people to a new
their own country) country)
Not enough jobs Hope of finding a job, job opportunities
Low wages Higher wages
Lack of educational opportunities Better health and educational facilities
Fear of crime and insecurity Friends and family who have already moved
Natural Disasters Better standard of living
However, there may be barriers to international migration are important, these include, high cost
of travel, legal restrictions and cultural and language differences.

On the other hand, most people prefer their own country. This may be due to various factors
such as existing jobs and work contacts, friends and family nearby, familiar surroundings,
language, culture and lower living costs.

Additionally, there may be a return flow, that is, migrants may want to return home. Mainly
because, they have a capital to start a business, they’ve acquired new skills and qualifications,
they have difficulty in settling overseas, retirement or they may be forced to return for legal
reasons.

Effects of Migration

1. Slower population growth:

• Having a net outward migration, population growth is reduced.
2. Lower Birth Rate:
• Migrants tend to be young people. When they leave, they tend to settle down in
their new country, hence, not much people left in the home country to have
children.
3. Further Migration:
• Children, parents and other family members want to reside or be close to their
relatives and follow in their footsteps.

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4. Possible “brain drain”:

• Young, ambitious people are the ones that tend to migrate. Further their
education, better job opportunities. Countries tend to receive these skilled based,
young, healthy individuals. Hence, they settle down and the home country
would’ve lost these skilled persons.
5. Tourism:
• Those who migrate, when they return to the country are considered as tourist and
hence support the tourist industry. They may stay in hotels or with relatives, rent
cars, restaurant meals and shopping, hence, economic consideration.
6. Remittances:
• Migrants send money home to their families. Remittances tend to bring in as much
as tourism. This is seen in Jamaica.
• Migrants also send back gifts to family members which may be “barrels” or a
specific purchase when the need arises.

The Return Flow

Migration leads to a return flow of migrants who return home. Reasons for this include:

1. After some years:

• Short-term migrants may come home after a few months or years. They would’ve
acquired useful skills and qualifications and may have savings to start a business,
build or improve a house, buy a car or pay for children’s education.
2. On retirement:
• After spending their working lives overseas, they’re ready to return home to
retire.
• They may spend some of their savings on a substantial house, spend their pension
locally and help relatives move forward with their own plans.
• Not all returning retirees may settle successfully after living a different life for
many years.

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3. As deportees:
• Migrants are deported and sent home because of migrating illegally or because
they are convicted of criminal offenses.

CASE-STUDIES:

• Pages 224-227 in “The Caribbean Environment”- Matthew Wilson (Green Book)

• Page 137 in “Geography for CSEC- Study Guide.”- 2nd Edition.