The reasons for the increase in migration within and into the European Union since the 1990s - Essay Example

Examine some of the reasons for the increase in migration within and into the European Union since the 1990s Migration of people is a human behavior that traces its origin back to creation. Movement of people to different places is highly attributed to social, political and economic changes. People move into a different country for different reasons, which include economic, family re-union, political and environmental issues among others (Castles, 2009). People can also move within their country while seeking employment and also because of other reasons as in immigration. A survey carried out by Gallup in 2012 reported that about 640 million adults would prefer migrating to another country in the world if they were given a chance (Tremlett, 2006). In this survey report over 20% of the respondents said that their main reason for migration would be search for jobs and better standards of living (Tremlett, 2006; Eurostat, 2010). Interestingly, about 25 million of the respondents had it that they would migrate to the countries within the European Union zone (Tremlett, 2006). From the 1990s there has been a heightened migration of people into and within the European Union due to some reasons. This essay examines the reasons for increased migration within and into the European Union since the 1990s. Enlargement of EU and Migration Enlargement of the European Union is the expansion that the European Union has undertaken by acquiring new member states (Mau & Verwiebe, 2010). The process began with what was initially the inner six in 1952 and it now has 27 member states (Mau & Verwiebe, 2010). When the World War II ended in 1945, Europe was torn into capitalist west and communist east. What followed after this was a prolonged cold war which was to end completely by 1991 when the USSR’s influence over the communist Europe collapsed (McCormick, 2007).it was also in the 1990s when colonisation was exiting in the world history and most countries were making their own policies independently. As a result, there was a need to enlarge to the centre and the east was forced to adopt an enlargement agenda (Eurostat, 2013). The enlargement took place and resulted to influx of new member states into the union with Poland and Sweden being newer members (Salt, 2006). Migration into the European Union peaked in the early 1990s when people started moving within the EU zone states in search of employment and other reasons (Jordan, 2006). Earlier, after the Second World War, European Union enjoyed a dramatic economic growth, and this made most nations in the European Union zone to receive high populations of immigrants from other EU countries (Economist, 2009). Moreover, migration within the European Union was highly encouraged by the Schengen agreement of the 1985 (Mardell, 2006; Salt, 2007). The agreement allowed free movement and travel of people within Europe by citizens of its member states, and it made it possible for citizens of the European member states together with their families to live and work anywhere in addition to the rights granted by the EU citizenship. However, citizens of non-EU states or non-EEA states can not enjoy the freedom and rights of free movement unless they apply for EU long term residence permit nor are family members of EU citizens (Mardell, 2006; Economist, 2009). Therefore, if a member has a valid residence permit of Schengen state, he or she is allowed unlimited rights to travel within the Schengen areas for three months but only for tourist reasons. This window has encouraged many immigrants and emigrants within European Union and especially within the Schengen zone. Migration and Social Transformation [Employment opportunities] In the 1990s, majority of immigrants, especially in Western Europe traced their origin to the former “eastern block states” such as Greece, Italy, Portugal, UK and Spain (Berthoud & Iacovou, 2002). The language, the geography and culture of the people from these regions play greater roles in the reasons for their migration (Salt, 2007). Although there are other reasons that occasion the migration of people into European Union, these immediate factors play a critical role. Moreover, migration into the European Union from 1990s can be attributed to the fact that as the EU enlarged and as most countries in the world restricted free movement by nationals of their countries of origin, most countries such as the UK did not place any barriers for free movement (Castles, 2009). Although most people went back to their countries following the great serious economic crisis in the United Kingdom, the free movement of EU nationals continues within and into the EU (Berthoud & Iacovou, 2002). Currently EU has 27 member states and the migration within and into the EU has raised tensions especially between states that are intent to put barriers to prevent free movement of people within their boundaries. From an economist point of view, people are wont of migrating in search of financial stability and better prospects for the future (Heath, Ermisch & Gallie, 2005; Economist, 2009). The people in the move into and within European Union, therefore, to countries that offer better future prospects, higher wages compared to their countries of origin as well as improved lifestyles due to social transformation (Halsey & Webb, 2000). According to Eurostat (2013), the unemployment rate among the European Union’s 27 states is 10.9 percent. With this rate of unemployment average, it means that some countries have higher unemployment states than other thus causing people to migrate within the EU states for employment opportunities (Clancy, 2008). In addition, higher standard of living that entail better education that provide better career prospects are key to migration of many people. In order for people to provide to their children what they themselves missed in terms of opportunities and career prospects, people migrate to other places. The migration of people within the EU has been common since 1990s (Jordan, 2002). For example, people from the Northern Europe migrate to southern Europe. Among these, the majority come from France, Portugal and United Kingdom. Globalisation and Migration The migration into and within European Union has been highly attributed to globalisation (Durrschmidt & Graham, 2007). With unrestricted movement and cooperation within the 27 states that make the European Union, people have been migrating within and into the EU in search of global presence (Berthoud & Iacovou, 2002). Given that the world was warring in the late 1990s with most countries experiencing advance regimes of dictatorship, migration into the European Union was rampant (Addison & Harriet, 2005). This was highly done by people who already had families in the European Union zones. With the freedom of movement in the EU zone, this became one of the reasons of movement of people into the European Union (Jordan, 2002). The other reason that makes people to migrate is search of better lives as skilled, non-skilled workers. Some scholars have argued that the increased migration into the European Union since 1990s presents a case of growing global inequalities between developed and developing countries (Berthoud & Iacovou, 2002). These inequalities can range from economic, democratic, political, and social inequalities among others. Migration in the wake of globalisation can be noted using the recent estimates of the EU population. For example, by 2011 over 500 million people lived within the European Union (Eurostat, 2013). According to the Eurostat (2013), out of this population only a fifth was the population of the combined 27 EU member states. As the world becomes a global village, people are aware of places where they can grow their career and establish comfortable living. As a result, the free movement of people within the European Union states is known to people and those willing to migrate, will easily do so based on the information. In conclusion, the enlargement of EU has affected the rate of migration among the member states since 1990s. With the end of colonisation in the UK, Portugal and France, migration of people within the EU member states increased. The social transformation and globalisation that was to follow led to migration of people. Unemployment rates were among the leading economic factor to social transformation that led to massive migration of people among the EU states. Reference Page Addison, P. & Harriet, J. (eds). (2005). A Companion to Contemporary Britain 1939-2000, Oxford: Blackwell. Berthoud, R. & Iacovou, M. (2002). Diverse Europe: Mapping Patterns of Social Change Across the EU. Published by the Economic & Social Research Council. Retrieved May 12, 2013 from http://www.esrc.ac.uk/_images/diverse_europe_tcm8-13534.pdf Castles, S. (2009). Age of Migration (4th ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Clancy, G. (2008). Employment of foreign workers in the United Kingdom: 1997 to 2008. Economic & Labour Market Review, 2 (7), 18-30. Retrieved May 12, 2013 from http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=14692 Durrschmidt, J. & Graham T. (2007). Globalization, Modernity and Social change. Basingstoke: Palgrave. 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