Global Migration
Current Patterns of International Migration are related to Global Patterns of Socio-
Economic Development
LINKS BETWEEN REMITTANCES AND HDI
• The value of migrant remittances is a key statistical measure of international migration
linked to development- private funds sent back by migrants to their country.
• A considerable importance to the development project
• Migrant remittances account for only a small percentage of their GDP- for LIDCs and
EDCs they are much higher
• However, not all EDCs and LIDCs receive large migrant remittances- e.g. Sudan, with an
HDI of 0.473 and remittances only accounting for 0.6% of their GDP- due to restrict
immigration policies of developed countries and costs of travel
• Examples:
◦ Nepal- HDI 0.540, Remittances 28.8% of GDP
◦ Haiti- HDI 0.471, 21.1% of GDP
◦ The Gambia- HDI 0.441, 20% of GDP
◦ UK- HDI 0.892, 0.1% of GDP
POSITIVE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL MIGRATION
1) Can promote stability
◦ Remittances are a source of foreign exchange which can contribute to economic
stability
◦ Migrants can acquire new ideas and values which can be contributed towards
peacebuilding and conflict resolution when they return home
◦ Youthful migrant working population can contribute to more balanced age structure
in recipient country
2) Can promote economic growth
◦ GDP and tax base of recipient countries can be boosted
◦ Migrants as consumers can stimulate local economies in host country, potentially
opening up new markets
◦ Can fill skills gaps
◦ Remittances can stimulate multiplier effects back home
3) Can promote development
◦ Skills and knowledge acquired by migrants can benefit countries if they return
◦ Migrants can create networks which ease flows of skills, financial resources, values
and ideas through their links to diaspora associations
, NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF MIGRATION
1) Can cause Inequalities
◦ Countries of origin lose a proportion of their young working age population, which
can lead to a downward economic spiral
◦ 'Brain drain'
◦ International migration can lead to redistribution of reproductive age, influencing
birth rates
◦ Migrant remittances can increase inequality between families who receive them and
those who don't
2) Can cause Conflicts
◦ Social conflict can occur between host communities and migrants
◦ Immigrant populations can place pressure on service provision, such as health and
education in the host country
◦ International borders can be areas of conflict between authorities and illegal
migrants
3) Can cause Injustices
◦ Migrants vulnerable to human rights abuse, e.g. through forced labour
◦ Treatment of asylum seekers can be poor, such as being held in detention centres
through the duration of their application
◦ Lack of shelter, food etc., in a refugee's journey
Global Migration Patterns are Influenced by a Multitude of Inter-related Factors
1) ECONOMIC GLOBALISATION
• Has led to the emergence of new source areas and host destinations
• Major bilateral corridors and traditional migration partnerships have remained strong but
new places of origin and new destinations form grand's have emerged
• E.g. Intra regional: Migration of workers from Central Asia to Middle Eastern states due
to increased demand for labour, relatively high wages, ease of retuning formal
remittances and available accommodation
Current Patterns of International Migration are related to Global Patterns of Socio-
Economic Development
LINKS BETWEEN REMITTANCES AND HDI
• The value of migrant remittances is a key statistical measure of international migration
linked to development- private funds sent back by migrants to their country.
• A considerable importance to the development project
• Migrant remittances account for only a small percentage of their GDP- for LIDCs and
EDCs they are much higher
• However, not all EDCs and LIDCs receive large migrant remittances- e.g. Sudan, with an
HDI of 0.473 and remittances only accounting for 0.6% of their GDP- due to restrict
immigration policies of developed countries and costs of travel
• Examples:
◦ Nepal- HDI 0.540, Remittances 28.8% of GDP
◦ Haiti- HDI 0.471, 21.1% of GDP
◦ The Gambia- HDI 0.441, 20% of GDP
◦ UK- HDI 0.892, 0.1% of GDP
POSITIVE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL MIGRATION
1) Can promote stability
◦ Remittances are a source of foreign exchange which can contribute to economic
stability
◦ Migrants can acquire new ideas and values which can be contributed towards
peacebuilding and conflict resolution when they return home
◦ Youthful migrant working population can contribute to more balanced age structure
in recipient country
2) Can promote economic growth
◦ GDP and tax base of recipient countries can be boosted
◦ Migrants as consumers can stimulate local economies in host country, potentially
opening up new markets
◦ Can fill skills gaps
◦ Remittances can stimulate multiplier effects back home
3) Can promote development
◦ Skills and knowledge acquired by migrants can benefit countries if they return
◦ Migrants can create networks which ease flows of skills, financial resources, values
and ideas through their links to diaspora associations
, NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF MIGRATION
1) Can cause Inequalities
◦ Countries of origin lose a proportion of their young working age population, which
can lead to a downward economic spiral
◦ 'Brain drain'
◦ International migration can lead to redistribution of reproductive age, influencing
birth rates
◦ Migrant remittances can increase inequality between families who receive them and
those who don't
2) Can cause Conflicts
◦ Social conflict can occur between host communities and migrants
◦ Immigrant populations can place pressure on service provision, such as health and
education in the host country
◦ International borders can be areas of conflict between authorities and illegal
migrants
3) Can cause Injustices
◦ Migrants vulnerable to human rights abuse, e.g. through forced labour
◦ Treatment of asylum seekers can be poor, such as being held in detention centres
through the duration of their application
◦ Lack of shelter, food etc., in a refugee's journey
Global Migration Patterns are Influenced by a Multitude of Inter-related Factors
1) ECONOMIC GLOBALISATION
• Has led to the emergence of new source areas and host destinations
• Major bilateral corridors and traditional migration partnerships have remained strong but
new places of origin and new destinations form grand's have emerged
• E.g. Intra regional: Migration of workers from Central Asia to Middle Eastern states due
to increased demand for labour, relatively high wages, ease of retuning formal
remittances and available accommodation
