Edexcel A-Level Geography
Topic 8
Migration, Identity and
Sovereignty
Case Studies
EQ1 What are the impacts of globalisation on international
migration?
,Edexcel A-Level Geography
8B.1a Globalisation has caused extremely significant changes in
the global economic system, changing the pattern of demand for
labour
Global shift
- Global shift has created a demand for manufacturing jobs in low-
wage countries such as china. This follows the rapid industrialisation
and has been met by international migration and rural to urban
migration.
Globalisation – this has allowed for the flow of capital and trade which has
created investment particularly in construction and services, encouraging
international migration.
64% of all international migrants reside in HIC countries, mostly economic
migrants whereas 10% of international migrants are refugees or asylum
seekers – 84% living in LIC
Half of all international migrants where in one of ten countries the top
being the USA, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Russia.
Case study – Rural-urban migration in China
Rapid industrialisation of china began in the 1980’s when their open-door
policy was introduced allowing foreign investment. It is estimated that 200
million rural migrants are currently working in China’s cities with 20
million people arriving each year. Many are low-skilled and find work in
construction – there is an estimated 40 million construction workers in
china. In the next 30 years there could be up to 400 million people move
to China’s cities
Case study – EU Schengen agreement
The agreement came into place in 1995 and ended border check between
countries, allowing free movement. Some criticised the agreement for
allowing migrants from outside the EU to travel to high labour demand
countries such as Germany. When 1 million Syrian refugees entered
through Hungary in 2015 border check were temporarily introduced.
8B.1b 3-4% of the global population live outside their country of
birth but this varies based on international migration policies
High income countries host nearly 2/3rds of international migrants
Case study – International migration in Japan
Japan has an ageing and shrinking population a growth rate of -0.21% in
2017. Experts have calculated that Japan requires 200,000 migrants per
year to maintain their economy and living standards and a fertility rate
above replacement. However, many Japanese people are against
migration, and they believe it would interrupt their homogenous culture
and increase crime. The percentage of foreign-born people is very low
compared to other developed countries 1.8% in 2016. When babies are
born to foreign born parents, they do not automatically become Japanese
citizens. After the 2008 financial crisis, Japan offered money to foreign
born residents to leave.
, Edexcel A-Level Geography
8B.1c the pattern of international migration is changing and will
continue to change because environmental, economic, and
political events will affect migrants and their destinations
Lee’s model
This model suggests that migration occurs
when the balance of push and pull factors is
strong enough the overcome intervening
obstacles. Patterns of migration may change
in response to economic (recession or high
unemployment), environmental (natural
hazards) or political changes (encouraging or
restricting immigration)
Significant historical migrations:
- West indies migration post WW2 to the UK was encouraged by the
government
- Refugees fleeing war in Afghanistan in the 1980’s
- EU A8 countries in 2004
Environmental changes – often create environmental changes such as
people from Kiribati migration to New Zealand due to rising sea levels as it
might be completely underwater in 30 years. In the future, the Maldives is
likely to face the same issues.
Economic change – there was many migrants from India, Pakistan, and
Bangladesh to Qatar (mostly men) for construction for the 2022 Quarter
world cup.
Political change – can be positive such as Canada’s welcoming
immigration policy but is often negative such as the Syrian civil war.
8B.2a Most migrants move for work or to re-join family members
but there are other significant causes
Voluntary migrants – moving for work or to join family members that have
already moved abroad
Asylum – leave due to fear of persecution
Economic migrants
- Mostly move to high income companies such as the USA, Saudi
Arabia, and the UK, not from the poorest countries but from middle
income countries such as India, Mexico, China and Russia
- There are 17 million Indian living abroad
- This is because migration is too expensive for the poorest in
country, migrants are often the wealthier population in an area
Migration corridors
- They reduce obstacles by following an already established path
- An example is the USA to Mexico, connectors help immigrants travel
the route to where they can claim asylum and people smugglers get
others over the border
Topic 8
Migration, Identity and
Sovereignty
Case Studies
EQ1 What are the impacts of globalisation on international
migration?
,Edexcel A-Level Geography
8B.1a Globalisation has caused extremely significant changes in
the global economic system, changing the pattern of demand for
labour
Global shift
- Global shift has created a demand for manufacturing jobs in low-
wage countries such as china. This follows the rapid industrialisation
and has been met by international migration and rural to urban
migration.
Globalisation – this has allowed for the flow of capital and trade which has
created investment particularly in construction and services, encouraging
international migration.
64% of all international migrants reside in HIC countries, mostly economic
migrants whereas 10% of international migrants are refugees or asylum
seekers – 84% living in LIC
Half of all international migrants where in one of ten countries the top
being the USA, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Russia.
Case study – Rural-urban migration in China
Rapid industrialisation of china began in the 1980’s when their open-door
policy was introduced allowing foreign investment. It is estimated that 200
million rural migrants are currently working in China’s cities with 20
million people arriving each year. Many are low-skilled and find work in
construction – there is an estimated 40 million construction workers in
china. In the next 30 years there could be up to 400 million people move
to China’s cities
Case study – EU Schengen agreement
The agreement came into place in 1995 and ended border check between
countries, allowing free movement. Some criticised the agreement for
allowing migrants from outside the EU to travel to high labour demand
countries such as Germany. When 1 million Syrian refugees entered
through Hungary in 2015 border check were temporarily introduced.
8B.1b 3-4% of the global population live outside their country of
birth but this varies based on international migration policies
High income countries host nearly 2/3rds of international migrants
Case study – International migration in Japan
Japan has an ageing and shrinking population a growth rate of -0.21% in
2017. Experts have calculated that Japan requires 200,000 migrants per
year to maintain their economy and living standards and a fertility rate
above replacement. However, many Japanese people are against
migration, and they believe it would interrupt their homogenous culture
and increase crime. The percentage of foreign-born people is very low
compared to other developed countries 1.8% in 2016. When babies are
born to foreign born parents, they do not automatically become Japanese
citizens. After the 2008 financial crisis, Japan offered money to foreign
born residents to leave.
, Edexcel A-Level Geography
8B.1c the pattern of international migration is changing and will
continue to change because environmental, economic, and
political events will affect migrants and their destinations
Lee’s model
This model suggests that migration occurs
when the balance of push and pull factors is
strong enough the overcome intervening
obstacles. Patterns of migration may change
in response to economic (recession or high
unemployment), environmental (natural
hazards) or political changes (encouraging or
restricting immigration)
Significant historical migrations:
- West indies migration post WW2 to the UK was encouraged by the
government
- Refugees fleeing war in Afghanistan in the 1980’s
- EU A8 countries in 2004
Environmental changes – often create environmental changes such as
people from Kiribati migration to New Zealand due to rising sea levels as it
might be completely underwater in 30 years. In the future, the Maldives is
likely to face the same issues.
Economic change – there was many migrants from India, Pakistan, and
Bangladesh to Qatar (mostly men) for construction for the 2022 Quarter
world cup.
Political change – can be positive such as Canada’s welcoming
immigration policy but is often negative such as the Syrian civil war.
8B.2a Most migrants move for work or to re-join family members
but there are other significant causes
Voluntary migrants – moving for work or to join family members that have
already moved abroad
Asylum – leave due to fear of persecution
Economic migrants
- Mostly move to high income companies such as the USA, Saudi
Arabia, and the UK, not from the poorest countries but from middle
income countries such as India, Mexico, China and Russia
- There are 17 million Indian living abroad
- This is because migration is too expensive for the poorest in
country, migrants are often the wealthier population in an area
Migration corridors
- They reduce obstacles by following an already established path
- An example is the USA to Mexico, connectors help immigrants travel
the route to where they can claim asylum and people smugglers get
others over the border
