We explain what internal migration is and what the causes of this displacement are. Also, what is external migration and examples.
What is internal migration?
Migration is the movement of a person or group of people from their place of residence to another point to settle semi-permanently or definitively. It is known as internal migration movement of people within the same country.
These migrations can occur due to climatological, political, economic, social or ideological issues. For example: an individual from a small town who decides to go to a city, within the same country, in search of job opportunities.
Internal migration differs from external migration, since in the latter the individual or group moves and settles in another country.
See also: Social phenomena
Causes of internal migration
- Economic causes When an individual or group moves their residence in search of better job opportunities.
- Family causes When an individual or group moves to the place where relatives live to set up residence with them.
- Educational causes When an individual or group moves to a place for their academic development.
- ecological causes. When an individual or group leaves their place of residence to move to another in search of better climatic conditions.
- War causes When an individual leaves their place of residence due to political or social instability in the place where they live.
- Social causes When an individual leaves their place of residence due to the high rate of violence and insecurity in the place where they live.
Consequences of internal migration
- Inequalities between regions. It encourages the transfer of the economically active population to other regions or cities of the same country in search of work and academic opportunities. This movement usually occurs from rural towns or small cities to larger cities.
- Changes in demographics. It produces changes in the distribution of the population, which generates densely populated cities and areas with low population density.
- Family breakdown. Produces changes in family patterns.
- Urban planning problems. It generates a large concentration of population in a small space and peri-urban areas develop when migration occurs to large cities.
- New opportunities. It allows individuals to access new and better work and study opportunities.
- Interculturality. Promotes the relationship and interaction between individuals or groups with different traditions and customs.
Advantages and disadvantages of internal migration
Advantages
- Seeks an improvement in the quality of life of the migrant.
- Generates new job and academic opportunities.
- Promotes cultural exchange.
- Improves productivity due to the presence of more labor.
- Promotes the emergence of new types of work.
Disadvantages
- Generates regional inequalities.
- It generates unemployment or poor working conditions.
- It brings difficulties for social insertion.
- Produces an increase in public spending.
Examples of internal migrations
- Conquest of the American West. In the second half of the 19th century, the inhabitants of various areas of the eastern and central United States marched towards the American West in search of freedom, wealth and physical space for agriculture and livestock.
- Jujuy exodus. In August 1812, the inhabitants of San Salvador de Jujuy (province in northern Argentina) led by Manuel Belgrano fled the invasion of the royalist army and settled in the neighboring province of Tucumán.
- Long March. In October 1934 the communist forces of Chinese leader Mao Tse Tung were surrounded by an army commanded by the nationalist Chiang Kai-shek; Mao's army traveled more than 10,000 km and eleven provinces until reaching Sgensi, a remote northwestern province.
- The rural exodus from Venezuela. In the 1960s, many Venezuelan farmers migrated internally to the oil fields in search of new sources of work.
- Internal migration in Mexico. In the 1940s, internal migration took place in Mexico when thousands of workers moved to the city in search of better working and educational conditions.
External or international migration
External or international migration is that which occurs from one geographical point to another legally different point. That is, it is a migration from one nation, country or territory to a different one. For example: a person born in Brazil who moves to Mexico.
Examples of external migrations
- Biblical exodus. The Old Testament narrates the journey of the Hebrews from Egypt to the promised land.
- Migrations from Europe In the mid-19th century, many Europeans migrated to different parts of North, Central and South America to escape the political or ideological situation of their native places and in search of new job opportunities.
- External migration process from Syria to Europe. In 2015, the exodus of thousands of people of Syrian origin began, fleeing the armed conflict in their country towards Mediterranean Europe.
- Waves of forced migration due to world wars. In the first half of the 20th century, a large number of people fled countries at war for more peaceful destinations.
References
- “Internal migration” in the Government of Mexico.
- “Violence and unemployment among the main causes of internal migration” in El Economista.
- “Internal migrations in Mexico” in COMECSO.
- “Internal migration” in Wikipedia.
- “70 years since the triumph of communism” on BBC.
