The Different Types Of Human Migration

Migration and movement are a part of human life. Humans move around for a variety of reasons, called push and pull factors. Some common push and pull factors into jobs, war, family, and money. Below is an overview of the different types of human migration.

Internal Migration

Internal migration is the movement of people within one common place. The reasons that lead to this type of migration include the search for better education or the pursuit of a better economic opportunity in another area. Natural disasters and civil unrests can also trigger this type of migration.

External Migration

External migration generally refers to movement outside of one's home country. Common reasons for this include education, life improvement, and other economic prospects. Politics also play a huge part in causing people to migrate to other countries. An example of this type of migration is the movement of refugees into a neighboring nation due to unsafe conditions in their home country.

Seasonal Migration

Seasonal migration is the movement of people from one area to another with each season in pursuit of better conditions for themselves and their livestock. This type of movement is typically carried out by nomadic farmers who are mostly found in the sub-Saharan regions of Africa. Pastoralist communities located in Kenya, for example, include the Samburu and the Turkana who move from one area to another in search of pasture for their livestock away from their homes. Once conditions improve, they usually head back.

Migration Statistics

With the world becoming more connected than ever before, the movement of people has increased significantly. According to the World Bank, the countries that receive the most number of immigrants include the United States, Russia, Germany, Canada, and the UK while countries that experience the highest numbers of emigrants include China, Bangladesh, Mexico, Ukraine, Spain, the Philippines, and Pakistan.