New
New
Year 9

Migration in the Middle East

I can explain the causes and impacts of migration in the Middle East region.

New
New
Year 9

Migration in the Middle East

I can explain the causes and impacts of migration in the Middle East region.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Middle East is a major source and destination for migrants.
  2. Migration in the Middle East can be both voluntary or forced.
  3. The Gulf States are a major destination for international migrants.
  4. War has been a major cause of forced migration.
  5. Migration stories reveal the personal impacts of conflict, work, and opportunity across the Middle East.

Keywords

  • Migration - the movement from one place to another

  • Voluntary migration - when people choose to move, often for work or lifestyle

  • Forced migration - when people have to move, often due to war or natural disasters

  • Economic migrant - a person who moves to another place for job opportunities

  • Refugee - a person who has been forced to leave their country due to conflict or persecution

Common misconception

All migration in the Middle East is forced due to conflict.

While war and displacement are significant in parts of the Middle East, the region is also a major destination for voluntary economic migration, especially to the Gulf States like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.


To help you plan your year 9 geography lesson on: Migration in the Middle East, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to step into the shoes of real migrants. This helps them grasp the human emotions and challenges behind it.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their meanings:

Correct Answer:resource,Something useful found in nature

Something useful found in nature

Correct Answer:oil,A fuel source formed over millions of years

A fuel source formed over millions of years

Correct Answer:non-renewable,Cannot be replaced quickly once used up

Cannot be replaced quickly once used up

Correct Answer:desertification,A process where fertile land becomes dry and barren

A process where fertile land becomes dry and barren

Q2.
Which of the following is a major natural resource found in the Middle East?

Timber
Correct answer: Oil
Uranium
Diamonds

Q3.
The term "non-renewable" refers to resources that:

Can be used again and again
Are only used in agriculture
Correct answer: Take millions of years to form
Are produced every season

Q4.
What is the capital city of Saudi Arabia?

Correct answer: Riyadh
Muscat
Cairo
Tehran

Q5.
Oil is a resource.

Correct Answer: non-renewable

Q6.
Which physical feature covers much of the Middle East?

Tundra
Mountains
Correct answer: Deserts
Forests

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their meanings:

Correct Answer:migration,Moving from one place to another

Moving from one place to another

Correct Answer:voluntary migration,Choosing to move for work or lifestyle

Choosing to move for work or lifestyle

Correct Answer:forced migration,Being made to move by conflict or disaster

Being made to move by conflict or disaster

Correct Answer:economic migrant,Moving to find better job opportunities

Moving to find better job opportunities

Correct Answer:refugee,Leaving a country due to war or danger

Leaving a country due to war or danger

Q2.
Which of the following is an example of forced migration?

Moving to Dubai for a job
Relocating for university
Correct answer: Fleeing Syria due to war
Moving to be near family

Q3.
What is the main pull factor for economic migrants moving to Gulf States?

War
Correct answer: Jobs and higher wages
Drought
Lack of food

Q4.
Some people think all migration in the Middle East is caused by war. Which statement is most accurate?

Only war causes migration in the Middle East
All migrants are fleeing conflict
Correct answer: The Middle East is also a destination for people seeking jobs
Nobody moves voluntarily in this region