CAUSES OF MIGRATION

In the past, people were mostly confined to the places where they were born and grew up. International travel was difficult and expensive. Now the world has changed, distances have been reduced and travel is easy. This means that people who are not happy with their lives can move to other places where they can be happier. This movement of people is called migration and there are many reasons why people migrate: economic reasons, lifestyle choices and better facilities and amenities.

Most migrants in the modern world head from developing or third world countries to developed countries. The countries they come from are mostly agrarian countries. Industry is not developed in these countries and there are few factories. As a result, job opportunities are scarce. This problem coupled with the high population growth rate means people have to migrate to survive. The migration from central Africa to central Europe is a case in point. Hundreds have died trying to cross the Mediterranean this year alone despite the money paid to smugglers, the danger of the journey and the very real possibility of being stuck in Libya. They are prepared to face all this in order to be lifted out of poverty and improve their standard of living.

The way of life in developed countries is also more attractive to some migrants. A more conservative life style and lack of basic freedoms may prompt people to try and make their homes in developed countries. Host countries are mostly developed countries. The public is more tolerant of differences. Freedom of speech is considered very important. There is religious tolerance. Gays can lead a normal life and not fear for their lives. Women can adopt the Western life style. All these facts make western democracies seem very attractive indeed.

The standard of living being high in developed countries, the services provided by developed countries are also of better quality. This makes them attractive to people from countries where even the most basic services are a luxury. There may be no running water or electricity; the nearest school may be miles away and transportation may be non-existent. It is natural for people to wish to get their children educated, have access to basic health care and benefit from all the facilities and amenities people in developed countries take for granted. British water works recently apologized to the public for a brief water cut; something unheard of in central Africa where people go to the nearest well to fetch water. In short, a better quality of life is an important pull factor for migrants.

To sum up, the differences between the kind of life people lead in the developed world and that of people in the developing world are huge. In the global world of the 21^st century, everybody is well aware of these differences and wish to enjoy them too. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that people want to leave their miserable lives behind and try and seek a better one.