Migration Types, Causes And Consequences (India)

Indian Diaspora

The Indian Diaspora refers to the communities of people of Indian origin living outside India. It is one of the largest and most diverse diasporas in the world, spread across nearly every country.

• Definition: People who have emigrated from India, either as migrants or their descendants, who maintain cultural and economic ties with India.
• Major Destinations: Historically, migration from India occurred to countries under British rule (due to indentured labour systems) and later for economic opportunities. Major destinations include:
  • Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait (significant labor migration).
  • North America: USA, Canada.
  • Europe: UK, Germany, France.
  • Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand.
  • Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
  • Africa: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania.
  • Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname.
• Composition: The diaspora consists of several groups:
  • Indentured Labour Descendants: Those whose ancestors were taken as indentured laborers during the colonial era (e.g., in the Caribbean, Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa).
  • Economic/Labor Migrants: Individuals who migrate primarily for work opportunities, often skilled or semi-skilled (e.g., Middle East, North America).
  • Highly Skilled Professionals: Professionals migrating for higher education or specialized jobs (e.g., IT professionals in the USA, Canada, Australia).
  • Recent Immigrants: Those who have moved more recently for various reasons.
• Contributions: The Indian diaspora plays a significant role in the economies and societies of their host countries and maintains strong ties with India through remittances, cultural exchange, and investment. Remittances from the diaspora are a major source of foreign exchange for India.

Migration

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another, with the intention of settling temporarily or permanently. In geography, it is studied in terms of its causes (push and pull factors), patterns, and consequences.

• Definition: A significant aspect of population change, involving the movement of individuals or groups across geographical boundaries.
• Types of Migration:
  • Internal Migration: Movement within a country (e.g., rural-to-urban, rural-to-rural, urban-to-urban, urban-to-rural).
  • International Migration: Movement between countries.
• Voluntary vs. Forced Migration:
  • Voluntary Migration: Movement undertaken by choice, usually in response to perceived better opportunities (pull factors).
  • Forced Migration: Movement compelled by circumstances beyond individuals' control, such as natural disasters, war, political persecution, or severe environmental degradation (e.g., refugees, displaced persons).
• Push and Pull Factors: Migration is driven by factors that push people away from their place of origin and pull them towards a new destination.

Streams Of Migration

Migration streams refer to the movement of people between specific places of origin and destination. These streams can be categorized based on the direction and nature of the movement.

• Internal Migration Streams in India:
  • Rural-to-Urban: The most dominant stream in India, driven by the search for employment, better education, healthcare, and living standards in cities. This leads to rapid urbanization.
  • Rural-to-Rural: Often involves marriage-related migration (females moving to their husband's village) or people moving in search of agricultural land or better farming opportunities.
  • Urban-to-Urban: Occurs when people move between cities, often seeking better job prospects or lifestyle changes.
  • Urban-to-Rural: Less common but can occur, for example, when people move to rural areas after retirement or due to a desire for a less congested lifestyle, or if they find rural employment opportunities.
• International Migration Streams from India:
  • To Middle East: Primarily labor migration for construction, services, and domestic work.
  • To North America (USA, Canada): Migration of skilled professionals, students, and entrepreneurs.
  • To Europe (especially UK): Migration of professionals and also descendants of historical indentured laborers.
  • To Southeast Asia and Oceania: Skilled workers, business people, and descendants of historical migrants.
  • To Neighboring Countries: Less common for skilled migration, but some movement occurs due to proximity, cultural ties, or specific circumstances.
• Inward Migration to India: While India is primarily a country of emigration, it also receives migrants from neighboring countries, often driven by economic opportunities, political instability, or ethnic ties.

Spatial Variation In Migration

The patterns and intensity of migration vary significantly across different regions of India and in the international context.

• Internal Migration Variations:
  • High Out-Migration Areas: States with high population density, low economic development, and limited job opportunities often experience high rates of out-migration (e.g., Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan). People move from these areas seeking better prospects elsewhere.
  • High In-Migration Areas: Regions offering better employment, higher wages, and improved living conditions tend to attract migrants. These include major urban centers (e.g., Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune) and economically developed states (e.g., Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu).
  • Inter-State Migration: Significant migration occurs between states within India, with people moving from states with fewer opportunities to those with more.
• International Migration Variations:
  • Key Destination Countries: The volume and composition of Indian migrants vary by destination country. The Middle East attracts a large number of labor migrants, while North America and Europe attract more skilled professionals and students.
  • Source Countries: While emigration is widespread, states with higher levels of poverty, unemployment, and aspirations for better lives tend to have higher rates of international migration.

Causes Of Migration

Migration is driven by a combination of factors that either push people away from their place of origin or pull them towards a new destination.

• Push Factors (Factors forcing people to leave):
• Economic: Unemployment, underemployment, poverty, low wages, lack of economic opportunities in the place of origin.
• Social: Social unrest, discrimination, lack of educational or healthcare facilities, crime, unsafe living conditions.
• Political: Political instability, war, persecution, lack of political freedom.
• Environmental: Natural disasters (floods, droughts, earthquakes, cyclones), desertification, land degradation, pollution.
• Pull Factors (Factors attracting people to a new place):
• Economic: Better job opportunities, higher wages, industrial development, better living standards.
• Social: Better educational facilities, improved healthcare services, greater safety and security, presence of family or community members, better amenities.
• Political: Political stability, peace, better governance, greater freedoms.
• Environmental: More favorable climate, availability of resources.
• Specific to India:
• Rural-to-Urban Migration: Primarily driven by the "pull" of urban employment (formal and informal sectors) and amenities, and the "push" of rural poverty, unemployment, and limited opportunities.
• International Migration: Driven by demand for labor (especially in the Middle East and Southeast Asia), higher salaries, better career prospects, and quality of life aspirations in developed countries.

Consequences Of Migration

Migration has significant and multifaceted consequences on both the areas of origin and destination, impacting economic, demographic, social, and environmental aspects.

Economic Consequences

• For Area of Origin:
  • Remittances: Migrants send money back to their families, which can boost local economies, improve living standards, and increase consumption and investment. Remittances are a major source of foreign exchange for India.
  • Reduced Pressure on Resources: Out-migration can reduce population pressure on land and resources in the area of origin.
  • Loss of Skilled Labour: "Brain drain" can occur if highly skilled individuals migrate, potentially hindering local development.
  • Labor Shortages: Out-migration can lead to labor shortages in certain sectors (e.g., agriculture) in the origin areas.
• For Area of Destination:
  • Increased Labour Supply: Migrants often fill labor shortages, especially in low-skilled jobs or specific industries (e.g., construction, services).
  • Economic Growth: Migrant labor contributes to the economy through their work and consumption.
  • Skill Development: Migrants can bring new skills and innovation.
  • Pressure on Infrastructure: A rapid influx of migrants can strain public services like housing, transportation, healthcare, and education.
  • Potential Wage Depression: In some sectors, a large supply of labor might depress wages for low-skilled jobs.

Demographic Consequences

• For Area of Origin:
• Reduced Population Growth: Out-migration of people, especially in the reproductive age group, can help reduce birth rates and slow down population growth.
• Altered Age Structure: Out-migration of young adults can lead to an imbalance in the age structure, with a higher proportion of older people and children.
• For Area of Destination:
• Increased Population Size: In-migration increases the population of the destination area.
• Altered Age Structure: Migrants are often young adults, which can rejuvenate the age structure of the destination population and potentially increase the working-age population.
• Impact on Birth Rates: Migrants may initially have different fertility rates than the host population, which can influence overall birth rates.

Social Consequences

• For Area of Origin:
• Social Disintegration: Families may be separated, leading to social stress and altered family structures.
• Changes in Social Norms: Exposure to different cultures through returning migrants or communication with migrants abroad can lead to changes in social customs and norms.
• For Area of Destination:
• Cultural Diversity: Migration enriches the cultural landscape of the destination area, introducing new languages, foods, traditions, and perspectives.
• Social Integration Challenges: Migrants may face difficulties integrating into the host society due to differences in language, culture, religion, or discrimination, leading to social tensions.
• Strain on Social Services: Increased demand for schools, hospitals, and housing.

Environmental Consequences

• For Area of Origin:
• Reduced Pressure: Less migration can mean less pressure on local resources and environment.
• Abandonment of Land: In some cases, out-migration can lead to the abandonment of agricultural land, potentially leading to ecological succession or degradation if not managed.
• For Area of Destination:
• Increased Pressure on Resources: A growing population, fueled by migration, can increase demand for water, energy, and land.
• Urban Sprawl and Habitat Loss: Expansion of urban areas to accommodate migrants can lead to the destruction of natural habitats and agricultural land.
• Increased Pollution: Higher population densities can exacerbate problems like waste management and air/water pollution.