1.2 Syria — Forced Migration (Political Factors)

Political push factors:

Political push factors:

• Civil war beginning in 2011.

• Violence from government forces and armed groups eg. ISIS.

• Destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals.

Consequences for migrants:

• Refugees face poverty, unemployment, and poor living conditions (refugee camps, limited infrastructure and resources)

• Family separation and trauma.

• Difficulty accessing education and healthcare.

• Risky journeys across the Mediterranean Sea.

• Over 50% of Syrian refugees are children.

Impacts on origin areas (Syria):

• Loss of workers and skilled professionals.

• Huge economic damage — Syria’s GDP fell by more than 60% during the war.

• Population decline in conflict zones.

Impacts on destination areas:

• Increased pressure on housing, schools, and healthcare in countries like Turkey and Lebanon.

• Turkey hosts over 3 million Syrian refugees.

• Some countries gained extra workers for low-paid jobs.

• Political tensions over immigration in Europe.

Key fact/stat:

Over 13 million Syrians have been displaced since 2011, including more than 5 million refugees.

I can evaluate the severity and long-term impacts of forced migration

• Forced migration is severe because people flee war, persecution, or environmental disasters without choice.

• Example: Over 13 million Syrians have been displaced since 2011 because of civil war.

• Migrants may experience poverty, trauma, lack of education, and dangerous journeys.

• Origin countries lose workers, skilled professionals, and economic productivity.

• Destination countries may face pressure on housing, schools, healthcare, and jobs.

• Long-term impacts can include population decline, economic instability, political tension, and cultural change.

• Environmental migration in the Sahel has increased because temperatures are rising 1.5 times faster than the global average, causing drought and food insecurity.