Migration and Movement Concepts

A compilation of key terms and definitions related to migration and movement for review.

Periodic movement

Temporary, recurrent relocation, such as for college or military.

Migration

A permanent change in residence.

Labor migration

Workers crossing borders for employment.

Transhumance

Seasonal movement of pastoralists.

International migration

Movement across international boundaries.

Immigration

The act of moving into a country.

African Diaspora

The forced migration of Africans via the slave trade.

Gravity model

A model predicting that interaction decreases as distance increases.

Internal migration

Movement within a country.

Voluntary migration

Movement for perceived opportunity.

Ravenstein's Laws

Principles that predict migration flows.

Push factors

Negative conditions that drive people away.

Pull factors

Positive conditions that attract migrants.