Hello, and welcome.

My name is Ms. Harrison.

I'm so excited to be learning with you today.

Today's lesson is called Inequality and Migration.

Grab everything you might need for today's lesson, and let's begin our learning.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to explain the link between migration and inequality.

Before we can begin this learning, we need to define our keywords.

Our keywords in today's lesson are forced migration, voluntary migration, and refugee.

Forced migration.

This is when people are forced to migrate due to war, famine, climate change, or natural disasters.

Voluntary migration.

This is when people choose to migrate to improve their income and quality of life.

Refugee.

This is a person who's been forced to leave their country and cannot return home safely.

Now we've defined these keywords, we can begin our learning.

The first question we're going to explore in today's lesson is how does inequality affect migration? Migration happens when people move from one place to another.

This movement can happen in different ways.

Some people move internationally, which means they travel from one country to another.

For example, someone might move from India to the UK for work or study.

Others move internally, which means they relocate within the same country.

For example, a family might move from a village to a big city like Mumbai for better opportunities.

I would like you to think, "Why might people migrate?" Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

People migrate for many reasons, such as work, education, or to be closer to family.

Some people also move because of natural disasters or conflicts.

Migration can change people's lives and also affect the places they move to and from.

Migration can be forced migration, and this can happen from war, natural disasters, sea level rise, or famine, and voluntary migration, which is for a job, for better weather, for the landscape, and to be closer to family.

Are these examples of migration international or internal, forced or voluntary migration? Alex said, "Alex moved from Fairbourne in Wales to Cardiff in Wales because of sea level rise." "Izzy moved from the UK to Germany because her Mum got a new job." Pause the video here whilst do you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Alex is internal forced migration, and Izzy is voluntary international migration.

Well done if you identified those correctly.

Geographers use push and pull factors to explain why people migrate.

Push factors are negative things that make people want to leave a place.

These could include low wages, high crime rates, pollution, or lack of job opportunities.

For example, if a person lives in an area with poor air quality and few jobs, they might want to move to somewhere better.

Pull factors are positive things that attract people to a new place.

These could include better wages, good schools, clean air, or a safer environment.

For example, someone might move to a city with more job opportunities and a higher quality of life.

Most migration happens because of a combination of push and pull factors.

A person might leave their home due to low wages, which is a push, and choose a new city because of a better job opportunity, which is a pull.

Migration is often a difficult decision, and people have to think carefully about the challenges and benefits of moving.

One way to understand push and pull factors is that they highlight inequality between two places and how this encourages migration.

For example, if someone is working in a low paid job in one country but sees opportunities for higher wages in another, they may decide to migrate.

The low pay in their home country acts as a push factor while the chance to earn more money in another place is a pull factor.

This type of movement happens within countries too.

Many people move from rural areas where jobs may be scarce and poorly paid to cities where wages are often higher and there are more job opportunities.

Migration is often influenced by economic inequality, as people move to places where they can have better quality of life and more opportunities for the future.

Inequality in safety between countries can be a major reason for migration.

When a place experiences war or political instability, people may feel safe and decide to leave.

This is a push factor, as they're forced to move for their own protection.

On the other hand, countries that offer peace, stability, and security act as pull factors, attracting people that are looking for a safer life.

For example, many people flee war-torn regions to settle in places where they can live without fear and build a better future.

This type of migration is often seen in refugees who leave their home countries to escape violence, persecution, or war, seeking safety in more stable regions.

Where on the diagram would you put good air quality and bad air quality? Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Bad air quality would go by the push factor, and good air quality by the pull factor.

Inequality affects the geographical pattern of migration.

What do you notice when you compare the two maps? Pause the video here whilst you have a think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Inequality plays a major role in shaping migration patterns around the world.

When we compare the two maps, one showing GDP per capita, a measure of a country's wealth, and the other showing the percentage of the population born in another country, a clear pattern emerges.

Countries with a higher GDP per capita, such as those in North America, Western Europe, and Oceania, tend to have a higher share of migrants.

This is because people from lower income countries are often drawn to these wealthier nations by the promise of better wages, job opportunities, healthcare, and education.

These wealthier countries also tend to have more stable governments, better public services, and a higher quality of life, making them attractive destinations for migrants.

In contrast, countries with a lower GDP per capita, particularly in parts of Africa, South Asia and Latin America, tend to have fewer migrants but often experience higher emigration rates.

People from these regions frequently move elsewhere in search of better economic opportunities, improved living conditions, and safety.

Many of these lower income countries also struggle with high unemployment, political instability, or environmental challenges, further pushing people to leave in search of a better life.

This highlights how economic inequality between countries strongly influences migration.

People tend to move from poorer regions to wealthier ones in search a better opportunities, creating clear geographical patterns of migration that reflect global economic differences.

Migration is often driven by economic inequality between countries.

On average, people are more likely to migrate from lower income countries to high income countries in search of better job opportunities, higher wages, and improved standard of living.

Studies suggest that around 70% of global migrants can be classified as voluntary economic migrants.

This means that they've chosen to primarily move to increase their income rather than being forced to leave due to conflict, natural disasters, or persecution.

These migrants often send remittances, money, back to their home countries, which can help support families and communities back home.

However, economic migration is not the only reason for people to move.

Many also migrate for education, family reunification, or lifestyle improvements.

While economic factors are a major driver of migration, they often work alongside social, political, and environmental factors in shaping global migration patterns.

Which of these locations, India or Australia, could be described as high income, high percentage of in-migrants? Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is Australia, well done.

Conflict and instability are major drivers of migration.

Countries experiencing war or violence tend to have the highest number of refugees, people who've been forced to leave their homes and seek safety in another country.

Currently, millions of people have been displaced due to conflict.

Myanmar has 1.

28 million refugees.

Afghanistan has 6.

4 million refugees.

Ukraine has 5.

96 million refugees; Sudan, 1.

5 million refugees; and South Sudan, 2.

29 million refugees.

Many of these refugees flee to neighbouring countries or regions where they hope to find security, shelter, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.

War, and political instability, and persecution are key push factors that force people to migrate, often leaving everything behind to seek safety elsewhere.

Many people assume that most refugees travel long distances to reach wealthy, stable countries with a long history of peace.

However, in reality, most refugees flee to neighbouring countries.

This is because they often have to escape quickly due to immediate danger, and they may not the financial resources or legal documents needed to travel far.

Around 1 million Ukrainian refugees were in Poland in 2025.

Around 800,000 Sudanese refugees were in Chad in 2025.

This pattern highlights that proximity and safety are the main factors influencing refugee movement.

Bordering countries often take in large numbers of refugees even if they are not wealthy or highly developed because they provide the fastest and most successful place of refuge.

Additionally, many refugees hope to return home once it is safe, so they choose to stay as close as possible rather than settling in a distant country.

However, this can put a significant strain on neighbouring countries, especially if they already face economic or political challenges.

Host countries must then find ways to support large refugee populations, often with help from international organisations.

True or false? Most people who have to flee their home due to war will travel a long distance away from their country.

Pause the video here whilst you decide if this statement is true or false, and can press play to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is false.

I would now like you to explain why.

Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The reason why the statement is false is because, although some refugees will travel a long distance, most people who have to leave quickly from their own safety will travel to a neighbouring country.

Well done if you managed to explain that correctly.

I would like you to tick the correct box to show whether each statement is true or false.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Before we check our answers, we're going to complete one more task.

I would like you to read through Andeep's statement and give him some feedback on how he could improve the accuracy of each of his sentences.

Andeep said, "Migration is when people move from one country to another.

People migrate when they're forced due to things like war and natural disasters.

They'll move to higher income countries to get a better job." Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Let's check our answers.

For the first question, I asked you to tick which statement is true or false.

Internal migration is when people move across an international border.

False.

Natural disasters could be a reason for forced migration.

True.

On average, migrants are more likely to move from lower income countries to higher income countries.

True.

Refugees are people who choose to move to find a higher paid job.

False.

Refugees are likely to move to a neighbouring country.

True.

Well done.

I then asked you to see if you could rephrase Andeep's sentences to sound better.

"Migration is when people move from one country to another." You could have said, "Migration can be international, across country borders, or internal, within a country." "People migrate when they are forced due to things like war and natural disasters." "Migration can be forced or voluntary.

For example, people may move to improve their income." "They'll move to higher income countries to get a better job." "This is possible, but often when people are forced to move, they will migrate to a nearby country." Well done if you managed to explain those correctly.

We're now going to explore our second question of today's lesson.

What do different stories tell us about migration? Different stories help us to understand migration in more detail.

Hassan is originally from Damascus in Syria.

He now lives in Berlin, Germany.

Maria is originally from Seville in Spain.

She now lives in Munich in Germany.

Lukas is originally from Leipzig in Germany.

He now lives in Frankfurt in Germany.

Hassan's journey is a powerful example of the hardship faced by refugees fleeing conflict and persecution.

He initially studied at university in Damascus, Syria before the outbreak of the Syrian civil war.

As the war intensified, his home was destroyed, and his life was turned upside down.

Hassan took part in protests against the regime, hoping for change, but he was arrested and imprisoned for his involvement.

After enduring harsh conditions in prison, he was released, but realised that staying in Syria was no longer safe.

In search of a safer life, Hassan fled to Turkey, which hosted millions of Syrian refugees.

However, his journey was far from over.

Determined to reach a safer place, he crossed the Aegean Sea to Greece in a flimsy boat, a dangerous and treacherous journey that many refugees take in order to escape conflict.

Once in Greece, Hassan embarked on the next phase of his journey.

He trekked across the Balkans to reach Germany, one of the key destinations for refugees in Europe due to its relatively strong refugee protection policies.

Hassan's journey highlights the immense struggles that refugees face when escaping conflict and the dangerous routes many must take to find safety.

His story also emphasises the human rights challenges, the political struggles, and the personal costs that people endure during forced migration.

Hassan's migration story is an example of A, economic migration; B, voluntary migration; C, forced migration; D, internal migration.

Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The answer is C, forced migration.

Maria's story is a good example of how economic opportunities and life circumstances can influence migration within the European Union.

She studied engineering at university in Seville in Spain, and entered the job market right after the 2008 financial crash.

This was challenging time for many, as the financial crisis led to high unemployment rates and economic instability, especially in Spain.

Despite finding a job in Spain, Maria faced low wages and limited job security, which made it difficult for her to build a stable future.

Seeking better opportunities, Maria decided to move to Munich in Germany where the economy was stronger and there was better paying jobs and greater opportunity.

Since both Spain and Germany are part of the European Union, Maria was able to travel freely and work without restrictions, benefiting from the freedom of movement the EU offers.

Maria's journey reflects how economic inequality within countries or regions can push individuals to seek better opportunities elsewhere, particularly when they have the freedom to move without legal barriers.

Her story highlights the importance of economic growth and job opportunities in shaping migration patterns as well as the role of regional agreements like at the EU in facilitating mobility for workers.

Maria's migration story is an example of A, economic migration; B, voluntary migration; C, forced migration; or D, internal migration.

Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is A, economic migration and B, voluntary migration.

Lukas' journey is a great example of internal migration within a country due to economic inequality in job opportunities.

He grew up in Leipzig in a city in eastern Germany, and studied finance at university.

After finishing his studies, Lukas found a job.

However, despite having a job, Lukas realised that wages in eastern Germany were lower compared to other parts of the country, particularly in the west.

This wage gap is a common issue in Germany, where the economic situation is generally stronger in the western and southern parts of the country.

In search of better opportunities and a higher paying job, Lukas decided to move to Frankfurt, the financial capital of Germany.

In Frankfurt, Lukas found a job with a multinational firm offering a much higher salary and more career prospects.

This move allowed Lukas to improve his standard of living and benefit from the economic opportunities available in Germany's financial centre.

Lukas' story highlights how economic inequality within a country can lead people to migrate internally, moving from areas with fewer job opportunities and lower wages to places where the economy is stronger and better paying jobs are more readily available.

His experience also shows how regional differences can shape migration patterns even within highly developed countries.

Lukas' migration story is an example of A, economic migration; B, voluntary migration; C, forced migration; and D, internal migration.

Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

It's A, economic migration; B, voluntary migration; and D, internal migration.

Excellent work on this.

Life in Germany.

Hassan's life in Germany has significantly improved since he was granted asylum.

After applying for and receiving asylum status, he found a fresh start in Berlin, where he works as a junior software developer.

Hassan is grateful for the stability and safety he now enjoys, especially after having fled the violence in Syria.

While he's found his new job fulfilling and exciting, he remains hopeful that some of his family members will be able to join him in Germany in the future so they too can experience the opportunity he has now.

The ability to build a career and live in a peaceful country is a significant change for him.

Maria, who migrated from Spain to Germany in search of better career opportunities, has settled into her new life in Munich.

Now a project manager in a large engineering firm, Maria has significant improvement in her career prospects, especially compared to challenges she faced in Spain following the 2008 financial crisis.

Although she appreciates the higher wages and greater job security, Maria still misses some aspects of her home country.

The sunshine and the Spanish food are things she can't quite replace in Germany, but overall, she feels grateful for the chance to thrive in a competitive environment that allows her to grow professionally.

For Lukas, who moved to Frankfurt in such a better jobs and job opportunities in the financial sector, life has been a bit of a journey.

Initially, adjusting to the competitive work culture in Frankfurt, Lukas has now become comfortable in the fast-paced environment.

His career has flourished, and he feels more comfortable in his role within a multinational firm.

Despite success, Lukas is now exploring new opportunities in London.

While Frankfurt offered him a fresh start and professional growth, Lukas is looking for even greater challenges and career prospects in a global financial hub like London.

These migration stories show how inequality, weather, and safety, employment opportunities, or regional disparities drives people to move and adapt in different ways.

While Hassan found safety and stability, Maria and Lukas improved their career prospects by moving to economically stronger regions.

Each of them is now working toward building a better life in a new country, though they may also carry parts of their home country with them, whether that's the hope of reuniting with family or the memories of home comforts.

All these migration stories highlight how inequality plays a significant role in shaping people's decisions to move from one place to another.

Inequality can take many forms, whether it's related to safety, economic opportunities, or employment, and often leads to migration as people search for better living conditions, work prospects, or security.

Hassan's story illustrates inequality in safety, which led to forced migration.

Hassan was forced to leave his home in Syria due to the ongoing conflict and war which made it dangerous for him to stay.

He sought refuge in Germany, a country that offered safety and stability.

Like many refugees, Hassan didn't have the luxury of choosing where he wanted to live based on the comfort or economic opportunities.

His decision was driven by necessity of escaping violence and finding a peaceful place to rebuild his life.

His story is a powerful example of how a conflict and insecurity in a home country can force people to seek safety in nearby or distant countries.

Similarly, Maria's decision to migrate from Spain to Germany was motivated by inequality in economic opportunities.

After completing her studies, Maria entered the job market in Spain, which was still recovering from the 2008 financial crash.

The job market in Spain was tough, and many graduates found themselves working in low wage or temporary jobs, often unrelated to their field of study.

Maria's decision to move was influenced by the economic opportunities available in Germany, particularly in her field.

Germany had a stronger economy, offering higher wages, job security, and more career advancement opportunities.

Being part of the EU meant that Maria could move more freely and legally within the region without the need for complicated visas or work permits.

Maria's story illustrates how inequality in job opportunities and wages across different countries can encourage migration as people seek to improve their standard of living and future prospects.

In a similar vein, Lukas' migration to Frankfurt was driven by regional inequality in Germany.

Although Lukas had a job in his hometown, he found that wages in the eastern parts of Germany were typically lower than those in the western parts.

To earn a higher salary and advance his career, Lukas moved to Frankfurt, which is the financial capital of Germany.

In Frankfurt, Lukas found a job with a multinational firm that offered a much higher salary and more career advancement opportunities.

His story highlights how regional inequality within a single country can push people to migrate from one area to another in search of better economic opportunities.

All these stories point to the fact that inequality, whether it's due to safety, economic factors, or regional differences, can be a major driving force behind migration.

People like Hassan, Maria, and Lukas move in search of safer environments, higher paying jobs, and better quality of life.

Whether it's fleeing conflict, seeking better wages, or moving to regions with more career opportunities, inequality is a powerful motivator for people to leave their homes in search for a better prospect elsewhere.

In many cases, these migrations are not only personal decisions, but are also shaped by broader global trends.

Economic inequalities between countries, the impact of conflict, and even regional differences within countries contribute to shaping patterns of migration.

Ultimately, migration is often a response to the inequalities that exist in the world, and understanding these inequalities is important for understanding why people move across borders and within their own countries.

True or false? Inequality in job opportunities is why people move from one place to another.

Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

This statement is false.

I would now like you to explain why.

Pause here, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The reason why this statement is false is because it is one main reason, but it is not the only reason.

Many people move for other reasons, such as being forced to move by war, or may move to be close to family, or to study at university.

Well done if you explained that correctly.

I would like you to imagine an interview with Hassan, Maria, and Lukas.

Fill in what you think their responses might be to these questions.

Pause the video here whilst you complete this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Let's look at Hassan.

"How easy was your migration journey?" Hassan said, "My journey was really hard, tiring, and dangerous, involved walking long distances in foreign countries and crossing the sea in a crowded boat." "What attracted you to where you live now in Germany?" "I needed to get somewhere safe that wasn't affected by war, and I heard that Germany was accepting migrants from Syria." "Do you think you'll return to live where you were born?" "I hope so.

I regularly check the news about what is happening in Syria, and I hope that one day it is safe enough to return." "Maria, how easy was your journey?" "Very easy.

Spain and Germany are both in the EU, so I was free to travel over by plane and start work." "What attracted you to live where you live now in Germany?" "I found work in Munich when I was still in Spain.

Once here, I got to know, and I like the place, so I have stayed here." "Do you think you'll return to live where you were born?" "Maybe when I am older.

I have a house here now, and feel quite settled, so I don't think I'll move back anytime soon." "Lukas, how easy was your journey migration?" "The journey was less than three hours on the train.

It was really easy." "What attracted you to where you live now in Germany?" "Frankfurt is the financial capital of Germany.

If you want to work your way up in the financial sector, this is where you need to live." "Do you think you'll return to live where you were born?" "I doubt it.

I'm not sure where I'll end up, but I'm used to a fast-paced life now, so I prefer to live in a big global city like London or New York." Well done on this task.

I hope you managed to come up with some of those ideas.

We've now come to the end of our learning on the lesson of Inequality and Migration, and you've done brilliantly.

Before we end this lesson, let's summarise everything we've learned today.

Inequality in wealth and opportunities within and between countries can lead to migration.

Generally, people are more likely to move from lower income countries to higher income countries.

Inequality in safety between countries can lead to migration.

Refugees often have to flee quickly, and they're likely to go to a bordering country.

Listening to people's experiences of migration helps us understand the variety of reasons people move and the impact it has on their lives.

Well done on today's lesson.

You've done brilliantly.

I look forward to learning with you again very soon.