Understanding Migration Patterns: Internal and External Movements
Types of Migration by Direction
- Emigration: Departure from a place or country.
- Immigration: Arrival to a place or country.
- Net Migration: The difference between immigration and emigration.
- Positive: Higher immigration (the country gains population).
- Negative: Higher emigration (the country loses population).
Types of Migration by Distance
- Internal Migration: Movement within the same country.
- External Migration: Movement from one country to another.
Internal Migration Methods
- Seasonal or Temporary
- Definitive: Rural exodus
- Intercity
- Interrural
- Suburban
- Pendular or Habitual Movements:
- For Work
- For Leisure
External Migration
- Oceanic or Overseas
- Towards Western Europe
- Presently, New Destinations
Traditional Migration in Spain
The Rural Exodus
Traditional Features of Migration
- Motivation: Labor
- Flow-way: From rural to urban areas, usually in other provinces or regions.
- Profile: Young people with low skills
- Temporary and Seasonal Migrations: Harvest, etc.
Rural Depopulation (Late 19th Century – 1960)
Causes
- The industrialization of Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Madrid
- Improved rail transport
- Public works in urban areas during the Primo de Rivera era
- The scourge of phylloxera (vine disease)
Sending Areas
The inland peninsular
Receiving Areas
The provinces of the periphery, plus Madrid
Internal Migration in the Last Quarter of the 20th Century
Democracy and integration into the European Union.
- Types of Migration: Interprovincial and Intercity Travel
- Reasons: Labor, growth in services (tourism, management, and skilled positions).
- Departure Areas: Inland areas
- Receiving Areas: Madrid, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands
External Migration
Transoceanic Emigration: Movement to Latin America. Two phases can be distinguished:
First Phase (Mid-19th Century – 1914):
Latin American countries needed immigrants to populate and exploit their resources and build infrastructure. Spain was an outlet due to agrarian backwardness and unemployment. Most immigrants were from the Atlantic region, and their main destinations were Argentina, Cuba, and Brazil.
Second Phase (Between the Two World Wars):
Transoceanic migration declined due to the insecurity caused by World War I, the economic crisis of 1929, and the Spanish Civil War. Between 1945 and 1960, it recovered. The origin of migrants continued to be Galicia and the Canary Islands, and the destinations were Venezuela, Argentina, and Brazil. Since 1960, transoceanic emigration has dropped due to the decline of the Latin American economy and competition with migration to Europe.
Migration to Europe:
Three stages can be identified:
- Until the mid-20th century: Low and traditional migration.
- 1950-1973: The greatest boom in migration to Europe.
- Since 1973: Decline in emigration to Europe.
Consequences:
- Demographic decrease in the Spanish population.
- Economic consequences were positive due to decreased natural growth and unemployment, and there were no negative savings.
- Social consequences.