(a) Explain the term migration and describe any three forms it may take (b) State any four factors that may be responsible for migration (c) Outline any thr...

(a) Meaning of migration and three forms it may take

Migration is the movement of people from one place (their place of origin) to another (their destination) with the intention of settling there, either permanently or for a fairly long period. Three forms it may take are:

1. Internal migration: movement within the same country, for example rural-urban migration (from villages to towns) or rural-rural migration.
2. International migration: movement across national boundaries from one country to another (emigration and immigration).
3. Seasonal/temporary migration: movement for only part of the year or a limited period, such as nomadic herders or migrant labourers returning home after the season.

(Others: permanent migration, voluntary and forced migration.)

(b) Four factors responsible for migration

1. Economic factors: search for jobs, higher wages and better economic opportunities (towns pull, rural poverty pushes).
2. Social factors: desire for better education, health and social amenities available elsewhere.
3. Political factors: wars, insecurity, persecution and bad governance drive people away.
4. Physical/environmental factors: natural disasters such as drought, flood, famine and infertile land force movement.

(c) Advantages and disadvantages of rural-urban migration

Three advantages

1. Provides abundant cheap labour for urban industries and services.
2. Migrants send home remittances that raise rural incomes and living standards.
3. Relieves population pressure on rural land, and migrants acquire new skills.

Three disadvantages

1. Creates overcrowding, slums, unemployment and pressure on urban amenities in the towns.
2. Leads to shortage of farm labour and neglect of agriculture in the villages.
3. Encourages social vices and crime in towns and leaves an ageing rural population.