6.4.1

UK Migrations

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Internal Migration in the UK

Internal migration (between different parts of the UK) has helped culture and society to become more diverse.

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Deindustrialisation

  • Since the 1960s, when deindustrialisation began, there has been significant internal north to south migration.
    • Estimated to be over 3 million people.
  • These migrants tend to be young adults, mostly under 35, and relatively skilled/educated and motivated.
  • They have sought better quality and higher-paid employment in an area that is more prosperous than the one they originated from.
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Winners and losers

  • Some regions have gained, and the source regions have lost, the younger and more talented people.
  • The biggest ‘losers’ have been the North West, West Midlands, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber.
  • The biggest ‘winners’ have been the South East and South West.
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Regional variations in population

  • All the regions of the UK have seen a growth in their population, but internal migration contributes to different growth rates by region.
  • The East and South East grew by 0.8% each year between 2004 and 2014, and London grew by 1.8% annually (although it has started to decline recently).
  • Scotland, Wales, the North East and North West all grew by 0.5% per year or less
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Average age by region

  • There are now some significant differences in average age between regions:
    • London is the youngest, with an average age of 34.
    • In Scotland, the North East and North West the average age is 40–41.
    • The South West has the highest average age at 42.9 - this is because it is a popular retirement destination.

International Migration in the UK

There are many flows of international migrants to the UK. Straight after colonialism, many immigrants came to the UK and since 2004 there has been much migration from the EU.

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After colonialism

  • After the end of British colonial rule, many immigrants came to the UK in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. These people were the Windrush generation.
  • Most have had children and grandchildren born in the UK and there has also been much interracial marriage.
  • The largest immigrant groups are from the Indian sub-continent (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh).
  • More recent migrations have included Somalis (East Africa), and eastern Europeans (e.g. Poles and Lithuanians).
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Migrants from the EU since 2004

  • 'A8' migrants are those from the eight eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 (Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia).
  • Many have settled in rural locations because there were particular skills shortages they could easily fill.
    • E.g. In Northern Scotland, working in the fishing, fish processing and fish packaging industries.
    • E.g. In Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, working in farming, food processing and packaging.

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

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