Migration is a topic on everyone’s lips. Especially in relation to Europe and the European Union, migration is discussed intensively. The UK recently voted to leave the EU – migration was a key part of Brexit. But why does the issue of migration affect Europe so much?
Migration – meaning
Migration is the migration of different people or groups. This can happen within a country or across national borders. The process of emigration from a country is called emigration; Immigration to another country is called immigration designated.
migration refers to the permanent, spatial relocation of the center of life of one or more people. If this transfer crosses state borders, one speaks of international migration.
Migration Europe – History
Contrary to a widespread myth, migration is not a modern phenomenon, but a central part of human development. Thousands of years ago, people traveled long distances.
People migrated more than 2000 years ago, for example along Eurasian trade routes, which are also known as the Silk Roads. A well known example is Marco Polothe son of an Italian trader who lived for many years in Kublai Khan’s Mongol Empire.
Unlike today, Europe was mostly one until the Second World War emigration area. With the geographical expansion of Europe from the 15th century, Europeans increasingly emigrated to other parts of the world. This pattern intensified from the 19th century onwards: between 1815 and 1915 almost 60 million Europeans emigrated intercontinentally. The most popular emigration areas were european colonies and settlements in North America, South America, Australia and Russia.
During the colonization Europe spread globally politically, territorially and economically. When developing foreign habitats, local populations were subdued, destroyed or displaced. During this time, the European population emigrated around the world and settled in so-called settlements and colonies.
This dynamic changed over the course of the 20th century. Due flight and expulsion During the Second World War, around 40 million Europeans migrated both within Europe and intercontinentally – many of them involuntarily. After the war, Western European economic growth led to the so-called guest worker period. Workers from Southern and Eastern Europe and North Africa moved to Western Europe due to severe labor shortages.
Apart from inner-European migration movements, Europe also experienced global immigration in the course of decolonization in the second half of the 20th century. On the one hand, original Europeans moved out of the former colonies settler families and their descendants to Europe. On the other hand there was postcolonial immigration the population of former colonies, especially in Great Britain, France, the Netherlands and Belgium.
Incidentally, migration does not only refer to a change of location that crosses national borders. The movement of people within a country is called internal migration designated. Internal migration is often due to the migration of rural population to cities – also rural exodus called.
Migration Europe – Figures
Europe today is one immigration area – the numbers confirm that. If immigration to Europe and emigration from Europe are offset against each other, the result is referred to as migration balance. This is positive for Europe. That means more people are migrating to Europe than people emigrating from Europe. in the 2000-2015 During this period, the migration balance was an average increase of 1.7 million people per year.
While around 3.4% of the world’s population lived in a country other than their country of birth in 2017, the proportion in Europe was over 10%, well above the average. The EU countries with the most immigrants were Germany (12.2 million), Great Britain (8.8 million) and France (7.9 million). Gmeasured against the total population however, most migrants lived in Luxembourg (45.5%), Switzerland (29.6%) and Austria (19.0%).
Under certain conditions, immigrants have the opportunity to citizenship to obtain, namely through the so-called naturalization. This process is often expensive, difficult, takes more time, and has higher requirements than migration. In 2017, around 825,000 people acquired citizenship in one of the then 28 EU countries.
Reasons for migration to Europe
The motives of migrants are diverse, but one can categorize migration reasons. Understanding why people migrate requires looking at global and structural inequalities that are common political, economic, social or environmental are. Reasons for migration differ between different groups, areas and times.
The following is a list of different categories and associated causes of migration – however, these are not mutually exclusive and are intended for theoretical orientation. In practice, several often overlap Migration causes and intentions.
labor migration
Labor migration occurs when employment is in the foreground – i.e. when migration is motivated by professional reasons. However, there are major differences: Labor migration can be due to the fact that there is no work available in the home country, or only poorly paid work. Another reason can be a high qualification, which does not lead to adequate employment in the home country. The triggers can therefore vary depending on the level of education and professional perspectives differ in their home country.
Migrant workers often strive for one better quality of life on. In some cases, the economic, social and political circumstances in the countries of origin are very precarious and offer few options for the local population, especially for people with low socio-economic means.
educational migration
One speaks of educational migration when someone Training or further education qualification aims abroad. This type of migration is usually due to the fact that less quality or internationally recognized educational opportunities are available in the home country, or someone wants to become part of a very specific field. After completing their project, educational migrants often return to their home country or move on third countries.
A semester abroad does not count as educational migration, since it is not a permanent relocation of the center of life. Migration is generally only spoken of after a period of at least one year.
Escape from military and political persecution
Escape and expulsion through wars, civil wars or the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities as well as political opponents are another important cause of migration. Unlike the previous categories, escape is about as much as possible involuntary migrationwhich is based on a political or military danger.
However, most refugee movements do not take place in the direction of Europe, but within or between countries neighbouring countries. The goal of refugees is usually to escape the immediate danger. Often there is hope after a short time in the hometown to return.
Basically, migration movements from rural areas to nearby cities or metropolises are far more frequent than international migration. Intercontinental migration, such as from Africa to Europe, is associated with high costs, especially for transport. A large part of the population in developing countries cannot afford this financial outlay.
Environment & Climate
Also natural disasters and climate changes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, tsunamis and droughts can force people to leave their previous habitat. When areas become permanently or temporarily uninhabitable, people are also forced to migrate. So this is also about as far as possible involuntary migration. Accordingly, this type of migration can also be classified as flight in many cases.
Climate change could become the main reason for flight. It increases competition for resources – water, food, grazing land – and this can lead to conflicts. (António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, 2009)
This is often the case as well internal migration or temporary resettlement in immediate neighboring countries. Since Europe, compared to many other parts of the world, climate change and natural disasters was largely spared, the environment and climate is a rather rare reason for migration within Europe.
EU migration policy
Migration has been a for many years political focus in Europe. Migration laws are made at EU level, so conditions are the same for all member states. Since it is a sensitive issue that many states see as a challenge, some EU states are dissatisfied with this one central regulation.
Overall, it is difficult to generalize about the migration policy of the European Union, as certain groups country of origin and level of education be treated differently. The following sections address some of these subgroups.
Migration within the EU
It is very easy for European citizens to move from one country to another within the European Union (EU). The reason for this is the so-called free movement of persons, i.e. the right of unrestricted migration opportunities for citizens of EU countries within the EU area. When EU citizens migrate within the EU, this is also referred to as a Internal migration in the European Union designated.
Thus, the residents of the EU enjoy a privilege compared to people who do not come from the EU. Not only can you move freely and without border controls within the EU territory or study in other EU countries without any problems, you can even take up work in other EU countries without any major hurdles.
Migration from third countries
Under specific conditions, immigrants from third countries, i.e. non-EU countries, can also enjoy the freedom of movement. However, this only applies to certain groups, including so-called highly qualified people or students.
For people with high professional qualifications, which are considered desirable in the EU, there is the so-called Blue Card. The Blue Card is a residence and work permit for academics from abroad who have found employment in their field in the EU. With the Blue Card, migrants from third countries enjoy similar mobility advantages as…