Restrictions on Migration
Geography: Edexcel A Level, topic 11.1.5
Restrictions on Migration
There are many restrictions on migration in reality. The assumption that there is completely free movement of labour/people does not hold in the real world.
Areas with unrestricted migration
- There is unrestricted migration within most countries.
- Someone in the UK can move between Manchester and London without any restrictions.
- Some regions, like the European Union, allow unrestricted movement of labour. According to Friedman's core-periphery model, this should lead to an efficient allocation of resources.
The EU
- Every EU-27 member state has immigrant populations from other EU states.
- There is completely free movement of people across most of the EU's internal borders. This is outlined in the Schengen Agreement.
Controls on migration
- Countries like Australia and the USA try to control flows of migration.
- Canada has a 'skills test' to make sure migrants have the relevant abilities and Australia only allows migrants in if they fill a 'skills gap' in the country.
- The USA has very strict controls on immigration that stop a lot of people entering (apart from holidays).
Transport costs
- Actually migrating may cost a lot of money. This may discourage people and stop the allocation of labour from being perfectly efficient.
- Working with traffickers to migrate may be dangerous/risky and can carry a human cost.
Test yourself on Restrictions on Migration
Which of these areas will have unrestricted migration?