15.3.3 Why are people moving internationally? There are a range of push and pull factors that influence why people choose to move and where they choose to move to, and these can be broadly categorised as social, economic, political or environmental reasons (see FIGURE3 ).
FIGURE3 Factors influencing migration choices
PUSH — High population growth strains existing social resources (e.g. medical)
Social
PULL — The destination country has a well-established migrant community and adequate services
PUSH — High unemployment and lack of job opportunities
Economic
PULL — High demand for labour and better wages/working conditions
Factors influencing migration choices
PUSH — Dictatorships and violation of human rights
Political
PULL — Democratic government and protection of freedoms
PUSH — Ecological disasters and poor environmental management of resources (e.g. water)
Environmental
PULL — Protection of natural environment and better resource management
SkillBuilder discussion Geographical inquiry 1. Using the information in FIGURES2 and 3 , discuss why the USA is the world’s largest migrant destination.
2. Which of the four factors is most likely to lead to forced migration? 3. Which of the four factors is most likely to explain migration to Australia?
15.3.4 Where are international migrants to Australia from? Between 1851 and 1861, more than 600 000 people came to Australia. While the majority were from Britain and Ireland, 60 000 came from continental Europe, 42 000 from China, 10 000 from the United States and just over 5000 from New Zealand and the South Pacific. However, since 1975, with the abolition of the white Australia policy that limited immigration to Europeans and people from the British Commonwealth nations, the country has attracted more immigrants from Asia (see FIGURES4 and 5 and TABLE1 ).
428 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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