Discuss the contributions of migration to developed and developing countries

Over the past 20 years or more, migration has become one of the main factors for

the decreased population level in one country and the increased population in

another. For example, in 2013, over 203 million people of the worlds population

were found to be living outside of their country of origin. The term migration is

referred to as the movement of a person or a group of persons across an

international border or within a State. According to Ravenstein, the push-pull

model can be seen as an instrument to explain the reasons individuals migrate. He

concluded that push factors were more important than pull factors and it was as a

result of these factors why individuals moved from their country of origin. Some of

these causes are: heavy taxation, oppressive laws, bad climatic conditions and

unfavorable socio-economic opportunities. Migratory trends between sexes has

shown that there is a higher rate of women to male counterparts leaving their

country of origin. Therefore, the magnitude of migration makes an important force

in the development and sustenance of a particular country and as such, it is a high

priority for both developed and developing countries. Social, economic and cultural

are major contributions of migration in developed and developing countries.

In developed countries, migration contributes to the economic gains of the host

country through; inexpensive supply of labor, cultural diversity, international

relations and satisfaction for job vacancies and the maximum utilization of the

countrys resources.

Migrants provides inexpensive labor supply especially in the agricultural and

domestic sector. In the US, it was reported that 70% of the unskilled migrants fill the
low-wage earning jobs. The provision of low-cost labor therefore benefits the

economy causing an increase in economic growth. Also, in developed areas like

Canada where population is low, migration allows for an increase in the working

population and as such increases the use of resources which were formerly

underused thus increasing the level of productivity and efficiency. Socially,

migration provides a greater cultural link with developing nations that aids in the

growth of international trade. The interaction between these region assists in the

cultural diversity that is seen in the United States. For example, the growth of

Hispanic population in the United States. In addition, skilled immigrants bring

energy and innovation and as such can be considered as a driving force in

transforming social institutions, for example schools. Migration adds to the

economical strengthening of a country however there are a few underlying

weaknesses. Unemployment may rise if there is an overwhelming increase in

population thus causing a strain on the public services of the host or developed

country. Also, migrants are normally exploited as a result of low paid wages. This

low paid wages are therefore seen as extrinsic factors that may cause migrants to

be demotivated and as such decrease the level of productivity and innovativeness

among these groups.

Migration from developing countries are often viewed as two folded, both positive

and negative implications. The positive impact is therefore in relation to

remittances, reduction of unemployment and dependency ratios and technological

advances. On the other hand the negative repercussions are in the form of brain-

drain and the inability to maintain the countrys productive levels.

Also, migration from developing countries decreases unemployment rate and as

such reduces the strain on the countrys dependency ration thus enhancing the

quality of life for the remaining populous.

However, migration also contribute to the loss of young and highly trained

individuals this therefore cause a shortage of labor in the economy. From a

technological viewpoint, migration has strengthened the technical advancement of

a country through its globalized feature. This therefore explains that these shared

ideas, gadgets and other innovative advancement allows for the developing country

adds to the cybernetics of the country thus amounting to the productivity and

efficiency in schools, banks and medical facilities.

Migration and its impact continues to be a concerned demographic issue especially

in the developing countries.