Topic: Population & Settlement Case Study: International Migration Location: Poland to the UK Geographical Keywords • Emigrate • Immigration • Push factor • Pull factor • Economic migrants • Ageing Population • Dependency ratio • Economically active Case Study Detail Background In 2004, along with 8 other countries, Poland joined to European Union (EU) This meant that workers from Poland had no restrictions placed on them to work abroad. Between 2004 and 2007, 430 000 Polish economic migrants arrived in the UK to work. A number of push and pull factors contributed to this movement of people Push factors • High unemployment rate in Poland (some rural areas with 40%) • GDP per capita of only $12 700 in 2006 Pull factors • Unemployment rate of only 5% in the UK, with a shortage of semiskilled and unskilled labour • GDP per capita in the Uk of $31 000 in 2006 • Abetter standard of living in the UK • A more developed infrastructure of communications and services. Economic impacts Positive • An annual economic contribution of £2.54 billion from these workers. • 1% of the UK’s economic growth came from these migrants in 2006 • 80% of workers between 18-35 (economically active, helping to reduce the dependency ratio caused by an aging population in the UK. Negative • The economic strain put on schools and hospitals for the families of migrants • Additional cost of policing in areas of tension. Social impacts Positive • A greater degree of cultural awareness and integration. • Generally hardworking, cheerful and polite people. Negative • The perception that Polish workers were stealing jobs from UK workers (untrue) • Some areas (e.g. Boston in Lincolnshire) changed overnight to Polish communities and local people felt pushed out. • Tensions between UK residents and Polish immigrants including anti-Polish graffiti. • Some Polish workers have been exploited by employers
