-Sudhir Shah, Advocate, Mumbai

Migration as it appears is not a simple process of people traveling from one place to another. Several factors initiate and encourage or impair and arrest migration. Several theories of migration have been propounded over the years by thinkers and researchers. Five theories are however merit attention.

A country, whose inhabitants find living difficult due to poverty, unemployment, famine or flood, persecution on account of political or religious beliefs pushes its inhabitants out to a country which is rich, has better standard of living, no shortage of food and grants liberty in following religion or political beliefs. The first country has the Push factor and the later has the Pull factor. The theory is known as “Push and Pull theory”. Diagrams 1 and 2 explains the Push and Pull Theory of Migration.

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

‘The Neo Classical Theory of Migration’ is the second most important theory of migration. This Theory can be defined as, the source country, having higher capital, will attract migrants from low capital regions which has a higher quantity of labour which would ultimately lead to equilibrium of labour and capital in both the countries. Diagram 3 explains The Neo Classical theory of Migration.

Diagram 3

“The Segmented or Dual Market Theory” states that migrants are recorded to fill those jobs that are necessary for the overall economy of the host country to function, but are avoided by the native born population because of the poor working condition associated with the secondary labour market and to prevent competition. Diagram 4 elucidates this Theory.

Diagram 4