Migration

Q.Critically examine the theories on Population migration(15/15) Q. Write short note on Impact of migration on urban demography.(12/12) Q. Discuss the causes and consequences of population migration in the world.( 60/00) Q. Examine the cause of international Migration of the last 50 years or so and the socio- economic and political problems generated by them(60/90).

Migration is generally defined as the permanent or semi permanent change of residence of an individual or group of people over significant distance.

Ravenstein Theory

First scholar to formulate laws of migration was Ravenstein  who based is generalization on empirical studies of population movement in Britain ,United States and some of the countries of north west Europe  in late 19th century.

1. Majority of migrants go only a short distance
2. Migration proceeds step by step
3. Long distance migration is towards great centres of Commerce and industry
4. Each current of migration produces a countercurrent of  lesser strength
5. Natives of town are less migratory than those of rural areas
6. Females migrate more frequently than males within the country of birth but  males frequently venture beyond.
7. Most migrants are adults; family is rarely migrate out of their country of birth
8. Large towns grow more by migration than by natural increase.
9. The main causes of Migration are economic.

EVALUATION

• Most of the above discussed cause of migration advocated by ravenstein are universally accepted.
• Few questions was not addressed by Ravenstein. for example, non-economic, cultural, social, political, psychological and religious causes of Migration.

Lee's model of migration

Famous sociologist Everett Lee gave theory of migration in 1965. He generalized four factors which influence the decision of an emmigrant.

• factors operating in the area of  origin
• factors operating at the destination
• factors that act as intervening obstacles
• Personal factors that are specific to individual

Zelinsky’s Mobility transition model

He proposed that changes in migration behaviour can be related to the stages of demographic transition model He tried to understand migration at various scales, i.e, International, rural to rural, rural to urban, intra-urban,inter urban,urban to rural,etc.

First stage

• very little migration occurs at any stage life is localised

2nd Stage

• characterized by Rapid increase in population resulting in mounting population pressure
• .Better Transportation system ,widening sphere of exploration and trade and growing knowledge of other places result in high migration at all scales.

3rd Stage

• characterized by decline in population growth due to decrease in birth rate.
• International migration decreases
• rural to Urban migration and movement within and between cities become more important

4th and 5th stage

• These stages are characterized by little or no population growth.
• Migration is predominantly inter-urban and intra-urban .
• Rural to Urban movement virtually caeses.