Emigration facts for kids
Emigration is when someone leaves their home country or area to go live in a different one. Think of it like saying goodbye to one place to start fresh somewhere new.
When people emigrate (meaning they leave a country), they usually immigrate (meaning they arrive) into another country. The main difference between these two words is just the point of view. Emigration is about leaving, while immigration is about arriving.
Moving from one place to another is a big part of human nature. People have been migrating for a very long time, even before we had written history. People who leave a place are sometimes called its diaspora, which means they are spread out from their original homeland.
Some people, called nomads, move around all the time and don't stay in one place for long.
Contents
Why Do People Emigrate?
People choose to emigrate for many different reasons. Often, they are looking for a better life or are forced to leave their homes.
Looking for Better Opportunities
Many people move because they believe they will have a better life somewhere else. This often means finding a better job, having more chances to succeed, or simply being better off financially. This kind of move is usually called economic migration.
Escaping Environmental Problems
Sometimes, people have to move because of the climate or big natural events. These can include floods, droughts, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. This type of move is known as environmental migration. For example, many people left Plymouth on the island of Montserrat after a series of volcanic eruptions in 1995 made it unsafe to live there.
Seeking Safety or Freedom
People might also leave their homes if they face problems where they live. This can happen if they have different views or opinions, or if they disagree with the people in charge. Sometimes, they face persecution, which means they are treated badly because of their religious beliefs or because of their ethnic group. In the past, many people moved from Europe to what was called the "New World" (like America) because they had religious beliefs that were different from most people in their home countries.
Fleeing Conflict or War
People who leave or flee their country because of armed conflicts or wars are usually called refugees once they arrive in another country. They are often looking for safety and protection.
Joining Family
Very often, people move to be with the rest of their family who already live in another country. This helps families stay together or reunite.
International law has different rules and ways of helping these different groups of people who move.
Related Topics
Images for kids
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A poster showing the inside of the Cunard Line's ship, RMS Aquitania, which carried many people who were emigrating. It was launched in 1913.
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East Germany built the Berlin Wall to stop people from leaving and moving to the west.
See also
In Spanish: Emigración para niños
