Human Geography: Ravenstein's 11 Laws of Migration

Ravenstein's 11 Laws of Migration

Ravenstein's 11 Laws of Migration are laws created by Ravenstein that describes the reason why immigrants typically move, the distance they move, and their characteristics.

Ravenstein's 1st Law of Migration

The majority of people who migrate only travel a short distance. This can be classified as Friction of Distance.

Example ;
People move to Worcester => Boston instead of moving to another country overall

Ravenstein's 2nd Law of Migration

Migration proceeds in steps.

Example;

People move from village, to small towns, to New York to pursue education and jobs

Ravenstein's 3rd Law of Migration

Migrants who travel long distances, are more likely to prefer areas that are great centers of commerce or industry.

Examples;
A student from California would attend to MIT to get the education he wants

Ravenstein's 4th Law of Migration

Each current of migration produces a compensating counter-current.

Example;
College moved to a bigger city, and when he graduates, he migrates back to his smaller hometown to live in a quieter life

Ravenstein's 5th Law of Migration

People in rural areas are more likely to migrate than people in cities.

Example ;

A person living in a rural area does not recieve/gain the same job opportunities as people living in urbanized cities. Also, less access to transportation and educational systems

Ravenstein's 6th Law of Migration

females are more migratory than males within their own country (intraregionally/short distance), while males are more migratory over long distances (internationally)

Example ;

Men are more likely to migrate over long distances for things such as labor jobs, economic opportunities, etc. Women are more migratory than males within their own country because education in a reachable distance, informal jobs, etc.

Ravenstein's 7th Law of Migration

Most migrants are young adult males; families rarely migrate out of their country of birth

Examples ;

Young adult males have to move for education/job opportunities (Intraregionally/internationally).

Ravenstein's 8th Law of Migration

Large towns grow more by migration then by natural increase

Example ;

N/A

Ravenstein's 9th Law of Migration

Migration increases in volume as industries and commerce develop and transport improves

Ravenstein's 10th Law of Migration

Migration is mostly due to economic causes.

Ravenstein's 11th Law of Migration

Women are more likely to migrate within the local area.