Common Migration Patterns

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Common Migrant Routes

Below are some of the most common inter-regional migration patterns and the general factors causing them:

South Asia to West Asia (Middle East)

The area of origin is South/South East Asia, with the flow of people moving to the Middle East.
The primary reason for this migration pattern is economic.
- Migrants with low skills move to the Middle East for work. They often receive low wages and work in construction.
There are over 1 million 'gulf wives' in Kerala, India, whose husbands work in the Middle East.

South Asia to Europe

The pattern of migration from South Asia to Europe as the destination is primarily driven by a desire for family reunification.
Previous generations may have moved to Europe and others want to follow.
Attractive economic, political and social conditions may make Europe a more attractive place to unify than South Asia.

South Asia to North America

The migration pattern from South Asia to North America is primarily driven by economic reasons.
Unlike the movement from South Asia to the Middle East, migrants moving to North America usually have high skills and are seeking high wages in the area of destination.

Latin America to Europe

The flow of migrants from Latin America to Europe is primarily driven by strong cultural ties.
Portugal and Spain had large empires in Latin America during the colonial era. Portuguese is the language of Brazil and Spanish is used in Argentina and Mexico.

North America to Europe

The movement of migrants from North America to Europe is primarily economic and is partially driven by TNCs.
These migrants usually have high skills and are seeking high wages. The expansion of TNCs and their global presence means that lots of people may be asked to move by a TNC.

Sub-Saharan Africa & West Asia to Europe

Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and Western Asia often move to Europe for economic or political reasons.
They generally have low skills and are seeking wages.
Some may be refugees and asylum seekers who are fleeing conflict in the area of origin (e.g current wars in Syria and Libya).

Forced and Voluntary Migration

Voluntary migration is made out of choice for economic, social or lifestyle reasons. Forced migration happens because of environmental reasons, war or persecution in most circumstances.

Examples of forced migration

Jews leaving Europe in the 1930s and 1940s to escape persecution under Nazi governments.
Slaves being transported from Africa to sugar plantations in North America and the Caribbean in the days of the slave trade.
People leaving Chernobyl in Ukraine after the nuclear explosion there in 1986.

Examples of voluntary migration

The migration of economic migrants from Mexico to the United States in search of higher wages and better jobs.
Lewis Hamilton moving to Monaco to improve his lifestyle and possibly to minimise his tax burden.
British retirees moving to Florida or Spain for their retirement.