Migration, in simple terms, means when people move from one place to another. According to the Demographic Dictionary, “Migration is a form of geographical mobility or spatial mobility between one geographical unit and another, generally involving a change in residence from the place of origin or place of departure to the place of destination or place of arrival, for a considerable period.”
- Migration, in a social context, involves people or groups moving from one community or society to another. It’s more than just changing the place where you live; it’s about leaving behind one social environment and entering into a new and different one. This shift often includes embracing the practices, norms, and culture of the new society while leaving behind aspects of the previous social setting.
- When it comes to population change, there are three key components: mortality, fertility, and migration. However, migration differs from mortality and fertility because it isn’t a biological process like the other two. Mortality and fertility are biological events that occur within a biological framework, albeit influenced by social, cultural, and economic factors.
- On the contrary, migration is a deliberate move made by individuals or groups in response to economic, social, and demographic factors in their environment. While most migration is a purposeful decision, there can be exceptional cases where this might not hold true. Overall, migration reflects how people respond to various factors within their environment by choosing to relocate.
- Migration is a crucial aspect of population studies because, alongside fertility and mortality, it significantly influences various aspects of a population. It determines not only the size and growth rate of a population but also its structure and distinctive features.
- Moreover, migration has a pivotal role in shaping the distribution of a country’s population and contributes significantly to the growth and composition of the labor force in specific regions or areas.
- India’s history is marked by several waves of migrants arriving from Central, West, and Southeast Asia, contributing to the rich tapestry of its cultural diversity. Similarly, significant numbers of individuals from India have migrated to various global regions like the Middle East, Western Europe, America, Australia, East, and Southeast Asia, seeking better prospects and opportunities.
- Migration plays a critical role as an indicator of societal change, reflecting the evolving dynamics within a society.
Different Forms of Migration
People may move within a country between different states or between different districts of the same state or they may move between different countries. Therefore, different terms are used for internal and external migration. Internal migration refers to migration from one place to another within a country, while external migration or international migration refers to migration from one country to another.
- Immigration and Emigration: ‘Immigration’ refers to migration into a country from another country and ‘emigration’ refers to migration out of the country. These terms are used only in connection with international migration. For example migrants leaving India to settle down in the United States or Canada are immigrants to the United States or Canada and emigrants from India.
- In Migration and Outmigration: These are used only in connection with internal migration. ‘In migration’ refers to migration into a particular area while ‘out migration’ refers to movements out of a particular area. Thus, migrants who come from Bihar or Uttar Pradesh to Punjab are considered to be immigrants for Punjab and out migrants for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
“In-migration” refers to the movement of people into a particular area or destination from somewhere else. Conversely, “outmigration” describes the departure or movement of individuals from a specific place or origin to another location. These terms help differentiate between the direction of movement of migrants, either into or out of an area.
The main forms of migration:-
- Internal
- Inmigration
- Outmigration
- External
- Immigration
- Emigration
- Migration can be classified based on the duration or time frame of the movement. Long-range migration occurs when individuals relocate for an extended or indefinite period, often leading to permanent settlement in a new area.
- In contrast, short-range or seasonal migration involves temporary movement, where people shift to different places for specific seasons or temporary work, intending to return to their original residence afterward.
- For instance, agricultural seasons frequently prompt temporary migration, as individuals move to areas where additional labor is needed during peak farming times. Moreover, specific cultural practices, such as women returning to their parental homes for childbirth, also contribute to short-range internal migration.
Migration can also be categorized based on the circumstances or reasons behind the movement.
- Voluntary migration: This type involves individuals or groups moving willingly from one place to another, usually for better opportunities, improved living conditions, education, or personal reasons.
- Involuntary migration: In this case, people are compelled to move against their will. This might occur due to political conflicts, environmental disasters, economic hardships, or other factors that force individuals or communities to leave their homes.
- Forced brain drain: This term refers to the migration of highly skilled or educated individuals from their home country to other nations due to better prospects or opportunities, causing a loss of talent in their place of origin.
- Migration of refugees and displaced persons: This type involves individuals fleeing persecution, war, natural disasters, or violence in their home countries, seeking safety and asylum in other nations. Displaced persons often move within their country due to similar reasons but do not cross international borders.
Each of these migration types carries distinct implications and reasons for the movement of people, impacting both the migrants and the areas they leave and move to.
Recording Migration Data
There are three important sources of information on migration in a country. These are national census, population registers and sample surveys. In India, the most important sources of data on internal migration are national census and sample surveys.
- National census: Conducted every ten years, the national census collects comprehensive data on the movement of people within the country. It provides statistical information on migration patterns, such as the number of migrants, their origins, destinations, reasons for migration, and more.
- Population registers: These registers help in maintaining records of individuals, especially in certain regions or administrative divisions. They can track population movements to some extent, contributing to understanding internal migration trends.
- Sample surveys: Surveys conducted by organizations or governmental bodies help supplement census data by providing more frequent or in-depth information about migration. They might focus on specific aspects, regions, or communities to gain a nuanced understanding of migration dynamics.
Actually migration was recorded beginning from the first Census of India conducted in 1881.
This data was recorded on the basis of place of birth. However, the first major modification was introduced in 1961 Census by bringing in two additional components viz; place of birth i.e. village or town and duration of residence (if born elsewhere). Further in 1971, additional information on place of last residence and duration of stay at the place of enumeration were incorporated. Information on reasons for migration were incorporated in 1981 Census and modified in consecutive Censuses.
In the Census the following questions are asked on migration:
- “Was the person born in this village or town?”
- If not, it asks whether they were born in a rural or urban area, the district and state they were born in, and if they were born outside India, it asks for the country name.
- “Has the person moved to this village or town from somewhere else?”
- If yes, it asks about the previous place’s rural or urban status, the district and state it was located in, and if it was outside India, it asks for the country name.
In addition, reasons for migration from the place of last residence and duration of residence in places of enumeration are also asked.
In the Census of India migration is enumerated on two bases:
- Lifetime Migrant: This refers to a person whose place of birth is different from where they are currently residing at the time of the Census.
- Migrant by Place of Last Residence: This refers to a person whose previous place of residence before their current location, as reported in the Census, is different from their current place of enumeration.
Migration Trends in Census
A few facts pertaining to the internal migration (within the country) and international migration (out of the country and into the country from other countries) are presented in this section.
Under the internal migration, four streams are identified:
- Rural to rural (R-R); Student Notes:
- Rural to urban (R-U);
- Urban to urban (U-U); and
- Urban to rural (U-R).
In India, in 2001, out of 315 million people who moved from one place to another, 98 million had changed where they lived in the last ten years. Among these, 81 million moved within the same state. More of these movers were females. Most of the females who moved were related to marriage. If we look at how many men and women moved within the same state or to a different state, we see that women mostly moved short distances from rural areas to other rural places in both types of moves. However, men were more dominant in moving from rural areas to urban cities in different states because of work or job opportunities.
- Apart from people moving within India, the country also sees people coming in from nearby nations and leaving to go there.
- In the Indian Census of 2001, it was recorded that more than 5 million people moved to India from other countries. A big majority, 96 percent of them, came from nearby countries like Bangladesh (3.0 million), Pakistan (0.9 million), and Nepal (0.5 million).
- Among these, there were about 0.16 million people who were refugees from countries like Tibet, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Myanmar.
- On the other side, when we talk about people leaving India to live in other countries, it’s estimated that around 20 million Indians are living in 110 different countries around the world.
FAQs
Q: What are the main causes of migration?
A: Migration can be driven by various factors such as economic opportunities, political instability, conflict, environmental changes, and social factors. Economic migrants often seek better job prospects and living standards, while refugees flee persecution or violence in their home countries.
Q: What are some common challenges faced by migrants during their journey?
A: Migrants often encounter numerous challenges, including the risk of human trafficking, exploitation, discrimination, and violence. Additionally, they may face legal barriers, language barriers, cultural adjustment difficulties, and lack of access to essential services such as healthcare and education.
Q: How does migration impact both sending and receiving countries?
A: Migration can have significant economic, social, and cultural impacts on both sending and receiving countries. Sending countries may experience a loss of skilled labor, known as brain drain, which can hinder development efforts. Receiving countries may benefit from the skills and labor of migrants but also face challenges related to integration, social cohesion, and strains on public services.
Q: What are some emerging trends in global migration?
A: Some emerging trends in global migration include increased displacement due to climate change, urbanization, and technological advancements facilitating both legal and irregular migration. There’s also a growing recognition of the importance of migrant rights, gender-sensitive migration policies, and the role of migrants in contributing to sustainable development.
Q: How can migration be managed effectively to address its challenges and maximize its benefits?
A: Effective migration management requires a comprehensive approach involving cooperation between sending and receiving countries, as well as international organizations and civil society. This includes implementing policies that protect the rights of migrants, promote their integration, address the root causes of migration, and facilitate safe and orderly migration pathways. Additionally, investing in education, job training, and social support systems can help migrants successfully integrate into their new communities while also benefiting the host society.
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