Immigration & Emigration: A Glossary of Terms

Definitions

Chain Migration

A process that occurs when an immigrant family brings others to the host country once they achieve some economic stability.

Emigration

Population transfer from one site to another. The person who leaves their place of residence is a migrant.

Rural Exodus

Mass migratory movement of the population from rural to urban and industrial areas, which brings rural depopulation and aging.

Immigration

Arrival of the population from another territory.

Labor Market

Where labor supply and demand meet, often regulated by the state.

Return Migration

Returning to the place of origin or habitual residence after spending at least a year away.

Swallow Migration

Annual temporary moves to work in agricultural campaigns.

Irregular Migration

Migration that does not meet the standards set by the issuing, transit, or receiving country.

Workforce

All persons of legal working age, typically between 16 and 65.

Employed Population

People 16 or older who have gainful employment during the reference week.

Unemployed Population

People who are unemployed or seeking work.

Net Migration

The difference between the number of immigrants and emigrants in a certain place and time.

Sex Ratio

The ratio between the number of men and women in a given territory at a given time, expressed as a percentage.

Foreigner Rate

The proportion of foreigners in the total population of a place at a given time.

Population Pyramid

A graph that represents the structure of the population of a territory at a certain time.

Population Aging

An index used for demographic studies of a population or country.

Seasonal Migration

Temporary population movements, usually small in scale and related to agricultural activities.

Rural Population

Population living in towns with a dominant agrarian socioeconomy.

Urban Population

Population living in cities or municipalities with a dominant industrial or service socioeconomy.

Municipality

The basic entity of the territorial organization of the Spanish state.

Garden City

Small villages on the outskirts of cities, originating from projects based on British planner Ebenezer Howard's ideas to take advantage of natural values and rural thoroughfare planning.