(a) Identify four patterns of population movement within a country. (b) Give five reasons that may lead to any one pattern of the movements identified in (a...

(a) Four patterns of population movement within a country

1. Rural to urban migration: movement of people from villages to towns and cities.
2. Rural to rural migration: movement from one rural area to another, often in search of farmland.
3. Urban to rural migration: movement of people from towns back to rural areas, for example on retirement.
4. Urban to urban migration: movement from one town or city to another.

(b) Five reasons for rural to urban migration

1. Search for employment and higher wages in industries and offices located in towns.
2. Availability of better educational facilities (schools and higher institutions) in urban centres.
3. Better social and medical facilities such as hospitals, electricity, pipe-borne water and recreation.
4. Escape from the drudgery and low income of subsistence farming in rural areas.
5. Attraction of the bright lights and superior standard of living in the city.

(c) Effects of population movement

(i) On the source (rural) region:

1. Reduction in labour force, leaving mainly the aged and children, so farm output falls.
2. Reduction in population pressure on the land and resources.
3. Inflow of remittances (money) sent home by the migrants, raising income.

(ii) On the destination (urban) region:

1. Increased supply of cheap labour for industries and services.
2. Overcrowding leading to housing shortage, slums and pressure on facilities.
3. Rise in unemployment and social vices such as crime and prostitution.