Global and Domestic Population Movement Analysis

Migration Dynamics and Definitions

Migration is the movement of people in space. Emigration is the outflow of population from one place, and immigration is the opposite phenomenon (inflow). The difference between the two is net migration, which can be positive (if immigration is higher) or negative (where emigration is higher). Migration is crucial to determining the real growth of a population.

Domestic Migration Patterns

Domestic migrations are those taking place within the borders of a country. They are usually due to economic reasons and can be temporary or permanent.

Types of Domestic Migration

• Temporary Migration

  These are movements whose duration is limited. They were traditionally associated with agricultural work. Today, these movements are falling into disuse, and others have appeared, related to the tertiary sector, which offers jobs on a seasonal basis.

• Permanent Migration: The Rural Exodus

  The rural exodus is the massive displacement of the rural population to cities, which has been occurring since the Industrial Revolution. Field mechanization motivated this shift, driven by the growing need for industry workers.

Evolution of Domestic Migration (1975 to Present)

In its evolution, we can highlight several stages. Focusing on the period from 1975 to the present: The world economic crisis of 1973 affected Spain, even though its effects began to be felt until several years later. The industrial crisis paralyzed the rural exodus. Then a new phenomenon appeared: the demographic return, meaning that former migrants returned to their homes to escape the ravages of unemployment. Cities and regions traditionally associated with immigration became migratory. At present, rural exodus figures are very low.

Contemporary Domestic Migration Categories

Current domestic movements can be categorized as follows:

1. Residential Migration

   Motivated by congestion and high housing prices in major cities. Young people often move to peripheral municipalities where the housing supply is of higher quality and prices are lower. This trend contributes to the aging of central cities.

2. Pendulum Movements (Commuting)

   These are common movements of people from their place of residence to the workplace.

3. Work Migration

   Consists of a population exchange between places with greater economic dynamism and those that are more stagnant.

4. Demographic Return

   Affects those who are unemployed or facing forced or anticipated retirement, who opt to return to their places of origin.

5. Leisure Travel

   Associated with areas where second homes predominate; these movements may be permanent or temporary.