The population of an area increases or decreases as a result of shifts in three variables: the number of births in that area, the number of deaths, and the balance of movements into and out of the area, or net migration. Hence, migration is essentially a demographic variable. However, it is more than this. The movements into and out of any area are both caused by and cause economic, social and political change. This entry summarizes some of what we know about migration and economic and social change and goes on to focus on what may still be the least-understood dimension in the migration-and-development debate: the linkages between migration and political development and vice versa.

Background

At the global level, the accepted figure for the number of ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles