Causes of international economic migration — Eduqas A-Level Geography

International economic migration refers to the movement of people across national borders primarily for economic reasons, such as employment opportunities, higher wages, or better living standards. This topic is central to understanding globalisation, as it highlights the interconnectedness of labour markets and the uneven distribution of economic opportunities. In the WJEC A-Level Geography syllabus, it is studied within the context of global systems and governance, where students explore how economic disparities drive migration flows and how these flows, in turn, shape economies and societies.

The causes of international economic migration are rooted in push and pull factors. Push factors include unemployment, low wages, poverty, and lack of career prospects in origin countries, often exacerbated by political instability or environmental degradation. Pull factors include higher wages, better working conditions, demand for labour in sectors like agriculture, construction, or technology, and the promise of upward social mobility. Students must also consider intervening obstacles, such as immigration policies, travel costs, and cultural barriers, which can hinder migration despite strong economic incentives.

This topic is significant because it connects to broader geographical themes like development, inequality, and globalisation. Understanding why people migrate economically helps explain patterns of urbanisation, remittance flows, and labour market dynamics in both sending and receiving countries. For example, the migration of healthcare workers from low-income to high-income countries (brain drain) has profound implications for development. Mastery of this topic enables students to critically evaluate migration policies and their impacts on global inequality.

• →Push and pull factors: Economic push factors (e.g., unemployment, low wages) drive people from origin countries, while pull factors (e.g., higher wages, labour demand) attract them to destination countries.
• →Neoclassical economic theory: This theory suggests that migration occurs due to wage differentials between countries; individuals move from low-wage to high-wage areas to maximise their earnings.
• →New economics of labour migration: This perspective views migration as a household decision to diversify income sources and minimise risk, rather than an individual choice.
• →Dual labour market theory: This theory argues that migration is driven by structural demand in developed economies for low-skilled, low-wage labour in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and construction.
• →Intervening obstacles: Factors that impede migration, such as restrictive immigration policies, high travel costs, language barriers, and lack of social networks.

• Factors driving international out-migration (poverty, primary commodity prices, poor market access)
• Role of diaspora communities in migration
• Impact of colonial and Commonwealth links on migration patterns
• Influence of legislation permitting freedom of movement (e.g., EU)
• How superpower states exert influence to attract international migrants
• Political strategies used by states to develop cities as global hubs for investment and migration
• Flows of money (remittances) and their impact on global economic inequalities
• The 'brain drain' phenomenon and its impact on skilled worker distribution
• Economic, social, political, and environmental interdependency between host and source countries
• Management of migration policies and conflicting views on cultural change

• 💡Ensure you can distinguish between economic migrants and refugees as they have different drivers and governance frameworks
• 💡Use specific examples of migration corridors to illustrate the influence of colonial or Commonwealth links
• 💡When discussing superpower states, focus on how they use political strategies to attract specific types of labour (e.g., high-skilled vs low-skilled)
• 💡Be prepared to evaluate the 'brain drain' vs 'brain gain' debate in the context of remittances
• 💡Link migration policies to the concept of national sovereignty versus globalised labour markets
• 💡Use specific examples: When discussing push and pull factors, always reference real-world case studies, such as Mexican migration to the USA for agricultural work or Filipino nurses moving to the UK. This demonstrates depth of knowledge.
• 💡Evaluate theories: Don't just describe migration theories; critically assess their strengths and limitations. For instance, neoclassical theory may oversimplify by ignoring social networks and government policies.
• 💡Link to wider themes: Connect economic migration to globalisation, inequality, and development. For example, discuss how remittances contribute to the global economy but can also create dependency.

• Confusing international economic migration with refugee movements (which are covered in 2.2.4)
• Failing to link migration patterns to the broader context of globalisation and the 'shrinking world'
• Neglecting the role of superpower states in shaping migration flows
• Over-generalising the impacts of remittances without considering the source/host country context
• Failing to address the 'brain drain' concept explicitly
• Misconception: All economic migrants are poor and unskilled. Correction: While many economic migrants are low-skilled, a significant number are highly skilled professionals (e.g., doctors, engineers) seeking better opportunities, known as 'brain drain'.
• Misconception: Economic migration is always permanent. Correction: Many economic migrants engage in circular or temporary migration, moving between countries seasonally or for fixed-term contracts, especially in agriculture or construction.
• Misconception: Economic migration only benefits the destination country. Correction: Remittances sent home can significantly boost the origin country's economy, reduce poverty, and improve education and health outcomes.