PAPP101 - S09: Migration and population distribution

Concepts and definitions

Internal and international migration

When discussing migration the distinction is made between internal and international migration.

Internal migration is when a person migrates to a new location within the same country, such as moving from a rural location to an urban location. In internal migration, a person who arrives in a geographically defined area is called an in-migrant, while a person who leaves a geographically defined area is called an out-migrant.

International migration is when an international border is crossed and the person takes up residence in a new country. A person arriving into a new country is called an immigrant, while a person leaving a country is called an emigrant.