What is push pull theory in migration studies?

push-pull theory of migration is a neoclassical theory that emphasizes tendencies of people to move from densely to sparsely populated areas or from low- to high -income areas, or link migrations to fluctuations in the business cycle.

Push factors include demographic growth low living standards, lack of economic opportunities and political repression. Pull factors are demand for labour, availability of land, good economic opportunities and political freedoms.


This theory has been widely criticized as it is unable to say why groups of people move, says that migrants are well informed when they move, that economic growth is the main factor of movement and is unable to predict future movement.


/Nicole