Population Dynamics: Migration, Distribution, and Urban Transformations

Posted on Nov 3, 2024 in Geography

Population Dynamics

Migration

Definition

Migration is the movement of a home with a change of residence.

Historical Migrations

  • European Migration Overseas: The discovery of America offered emigration opportunities to many Europeans seeking a better life.
  • Forced Migration of African Slaves: During the colonial era, many Africans were brought to America as slaves.
  • Chinese Migration: In the 19th century, a large number of Chinese migrated to the United States and Southeast Asia.

International Migration Today

  • USA: Immigrants primarily from Latin America and Asia.
  • European Union: Immigrants from Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
  • Oil-Rich Countries and Industrializing Areas: Migration towards countries with oil resources or growing industrialization.
  • Developing Countries: Wars and natural disasters cause intense forced migration.
  • Rural to Urban Migration: A significant population movement.

Types of Migration

  • Economic and Labor Migration:
    • Unskilled or low-skilled workers moving from poor to developed countries, often facing barriers.
    • Skilled workers (scientists, etc.) face fewer obstacles and have a significant economic impact.
  • Political Migration: Wars cause substantial civilian exodus seeking safety.
  • Environmental Migration: Desertification and natural disasters trigger large-scale migrations.

Consequences of Migration

  • Recipient Countries:
    • Immigrants contribute to development with their youth and willingness to work.
    • Immigration counteracts aging due to higher birth rates among immigrants.
    • Cultural enrichment through diverse customs and ways of life.
  • Issuing Countries:
    • Loss of young people, a potential development factor.
    • Brain drain: Loss of skilled workers (technicians, scientists) to richer countries.
    • Remittances: Money sent home by migrants contributes significantly to the income of poorer countries.

Population Density

Population density is the result of dividing the number of inhabitants of a territory by its surface area, expressed in inhabitants per km².

Natural Increase

Natural increase is the difference between the number of births and deaths.

Population Projections

Calculations are performed to predict the future evolution of city populations.

Population Distribution

Population distribution is irregular, with two main types:

  • Ecumene: Densely populated areas (e.g., Europe, Americas, Asia, Africa, Oceania).
  • Anecumene: Sparsely populated areas (e.g., deserts, polar regions).

Spanish Emigration

  • America: Peaked during the 16th and 17th centuries, declined in the 18th, resurged in the 19th and early 20th, and increased again after the Spanish Civil War, primarily to Latin American countries.
  • Europe: After World War II, Spanish workers emigrated to Western European countries (Germany, France, Switzerland) due to their high level of development, peaking between 1960 and 1973.

Spain: A Country of Immigration

  • Initial Stage: Influx of citizens from Eastern Europe, Latin America, North America, and Asia, primarily to large cities.

Internal Migration in the 20th Century

Internal migration gained importance in the late 19th century with industrial development, slowed during the Civil War, but resurged in the 1950s towards major industrial centers (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, etc.), leading to rural aging and urban rejuvenation.

Internal Migration Today

Primarily associated with urban sprawl, with municipalities near large cities attracting young people and experiencing high population growth due to:

  • Economic Causes: High land prices in big cities.
  • Environmental Causes: Desire for nature-connected lifestyles.
  • Technical Causes: Improved public transport facilitating travel between cities and surrounding areas.

Recent Urban Transformations in Spain

  • Historical Centers: Undergoing rehabilitation.
  • Urban Periphery: Development of shopping facilities, theme parks, museums, and leisure centers.
  • Economic Activity: Concentrated in the tertiary sector.
  • Urban Expansion: Driven by high inner-city housing prices and improved communication networks.
  • Suburbs: Substantial growth with single-family homes and high-rise buildings.