Migrations may be forced or voluntary
In 1948, 492 immigrantA person who arrives from another country. sailed from Jamaica to London on the Empire Windrush, looking to start a new life in the United Kingdom. This is an example of voluntary migrationWhen people move from one place to another..
In 1972 President Idi Amin expelled Uganda's Asian population from the country. Many emigrated to Britain - this was forced migration.
Voluntary migrations
As more countries have joined the European UnionA group of European countries initially formed to remove trade barriers and reduce potential for war within Europe. Citizens of member states have the right to move freely to any other member state to work. many workers from poorer nations have exercised their right to travel to and work in other nations such as Britain.
Case Study: Migration from Eastern Europe to the UK
When countries such as Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic joined the EU in 2004, their citizens gained the right to move to the UK to live and work. This resulted in large numbers of immigrants coming to the UK in search of work as the UK economy was booming.
Between 2004 and 2006 the UK became the host country for 600,000 Eastern European migrants. Many found jobs, particularly in the construction and retailing trades, earning up to five times as much as they did in their home countries. Many send money home to their families.
As Eastern Europe developed and the UK economy struggled from 2008 onwards, many Eastern Europeans returned to their home countries. This means that their migration was temporary. In 2020, due to Brexit (the departure of the UK from the European Union), many Eastern European immigrants in the UK have returned to their home country.
Causes of voluntary migration
Voluntary factors can be described as social or economic. Some examples of social factors are:
- better living conditions
- access to health care
- access to good education
Economic factors include:
- better employment prospects
- higher wages
Effects of voluntary migration
While migration can benefit countries, for example, by providing new trades, skills and a cheaper workforce, there are potential drawbacks to large scale migration.
- healthcare and education services can become strained
- a large influx of migrants can lead to housing shortages
- cultural differences can lead to racial tensions
- the welfare system can become strained if migrants claim benefits