Question

What are the demographics of the population(s) migrating in the UK? What are the reasons for migrating (push and pull factors)

Answer 1

People move from their country of origin for many reasons but the most important single factor is thought to be economic conditions at home. For example ,it is suggested that economic "push" factors have been behind the discrepancies we have observed in migration flows between EU countries in recent years. These include factors such as labor market conditions in Eastern Europe between the end of the Second World War and the beginning of the 1990s and, more recently, high rates of unemployment in wake-up countries in Southern Europe

For example, unemployment is one indicator of how a country's economy is doing (though other important indicators, such as wages, also exist). In the UK, unemployment rates ranged from 15 to 29 year olds to those in four of UK's top 20 immigrant countries of origin as of 2015 – Poland (1st), Romania (6th), Italy (12th) and Spain (20th). We see that unemployment rates among 15-29 year-olds in these countries have been higher compared with the UK , especially since 2008. Increased incentive for Southern European nationals to emigrate, and low income levels remain a strong push factor in Eastern European countries

Migration may also be an important "pull" strategy for people living in developing countries, to increase their income and shield their families from poverty. As such, international migration may be an effective strategy for diversifying income threats, which may explain why migration often occurs even in the absence of significant economic inequalities. However, wage and income differentials between the countries of origin and the countries of destination are the key drivers of migration for most international migration, and migration to the UK is no exception to this rule

Migration involves the psychological, social and financial costs. Such costs may be minimized if a potential migrant has family or friends in the United Kingdom or experience and an association with English and British culture. Migration networks facilitate access to information such as where and how to find jobs, help with housing, and child care; they can reduce exploitation and crime vulnerability. The presence of immigrant communities can also help migrants cope with migration-related personal and cultural stress. Economists believe that network, colonial links and cultural similarities may at times be much stronger pull factors in comparison to wages or selective immigration policies