Causes of Migration

Before learning about the causes of migration, let us first recall the term migration. So, what is migration?

Migration refers to the movement of people from their native place to another place. It helps in redistributing the population over time and space. When people move from one place to another, the place they have moved from is called the place of origin, and the place where they move is called the place of destination.

People migrate from their native place to another place for many reasons. These reasons are broadly categorized into two groups - Push and Pull Factors.

Do you know, what are Push and Pull Factors? Let us understand these two terms in detail.

Push Factors are the factors that cause people to leave their place of residence or origin. Here are the causes of migration:

� Lack of job opportunities, low income from agriculture, and other activities.
� High population pressure on land, low yield of crops, and shortage of food.
� Lack of basic amenities like clean drinking water, power supply, health care, education, transport, etc.
� Natural disasters like floods, landslides droughts, famines, earthquakes, cyclonic storms, and tsunamis.
� Wars;
� Persecution of people due to wars, race, religion, social and political beliefs.

Pull Factors are the factors that attract people to move to places other than their native place. Here are the causes of migration:

� Better job opportunities, availability of regular work, and higher wages.
� Better opportunities for education, health care, and sources of entertainment.
� Favourable climate;
� Peaceful and comfortable location;
� Lower risk of natural disasters;
� Availability of all kinds of freedom and fundamental rights.

MCQs

1. Which of the following is a push factor?
a. Favourable climate
b. Low risk of natural disaster
c. Freedom
d. Lack of health care

2. The place where people move is called the place of _____.
a. Source
b. Migration
c. Origin
d. Destination

3. Which of the following is a pull factor?
a. Lack of job opportunities
b. Lack of clean water
c. High Population
d. Peaceful location

4. Reasons for migration can be classified into _____ groups.
a. Three
b. Four
c. Six
d. Two

5. _____ refers to the movement of people from their native place to another place.
a. Pull Factors
b. Push Factors
c. Place of Origin
d. Migration

Read More: Impacts Of Migration: Positive And Negative Effects Of Migration