Migration is the movement of people from one place to another. In economics we break it down into three key terms that help us understand how populations change.
Net migration = (people who move into a country) – (people who move out of a country). It tells us whether a country is gaining or losing people overall.
🧩 Analogy: Think of a classroom. If 10 new students join and 4 leave, the net migration is +6 – the class has grown by 6 students.
📈 Example: In 2023, Country X had 200,000 immigrants and 150,000 emigrants. Net migration = 200,000 – 150,000 = +50,000 people.
Immigration is the arrival of people into a country. It is the inflow part of migration.
🌍 Analogy: Imagine a new guest arriving at a party – that’s immigration.
📊 Example: In 2023, 200,000 people moved to Country X from other countries.
Emigration is the departure of people from a country. It is the outflow part of migration.
🚶♂️ Analogy: A guest leaving the party early – that’s emigration.
📉 Example: In 2023, 150,000 people left Country X for other countries.
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Net migration | Inflows – outflows | +50,000 in Country X |
| Immigration | People moving into a country | 200,000 arrivals |
| Emigration | People leaving a country | 150,000 departures |