Net migration rate

The net migration rate is the difference between the number of immigrants (people coming into an area) and the number of emigrants (people leaving an area) throughout the year. When the number of immigrants is larger than the number of emigrants, a positive net migration rate occurs. A positive net migration rates indicates that there are more people entering an area than leaving it. When there are more emigrants than immigrants the result is a negative net migration rate, meaning that more people are leaving an area than entering it. When there is an equal amount of immigrants and emigrants, the net migration rate is nil.

The net migration rate is usually calculated over a one-year period using the mid year population and a ratio of per 1,000 inhabitants.

Migration occurs over a series of different push and pull factors that contribute to social, political, economical, and environmental factors according to Migration Trends. Social migration is when one migrates to have a higher standard of living or to be closer to family. Political migration then is when you are going in as a refugee to escape war or political persecution. While economical migration is moving to a place where one can aspire to have a career and better job opportunities to contribute a better living conditions. Lastly, environmental migration is when natural disasters force you to move into anew area. If we analyze all this we can get the idea that the net migration rate can tell us so much about a country. For example, if there are a lot of people coming in and not many leaving we can assume it is a wealthy country that keeps developing by all the opportunities it has to offer. On the other hand, if not many people are coming in and many are leaving it is easy to assume that there is a chance of violence, low economy, and not enough resources.

N = (I - E) / M X 1,000

N = Net Migration Rate

I = Number of Immigrants Entering the Area

E = Number of Emigrants Leaving the Area

M = Mid Year Population

At the start of the year, country A had a population of 1,000,000. Throughout the year there was a total of 200,000 people that immigrated to (entered) country A, and 100,000 people that emigrated from (left) country A. Throughout the year there was a total of 100,000 births and 100,000 deaths. What is the net migration rate?

First, find the mid year population for country A.

M = Population at Start of Year + Population at End of Year / 2

M = 1,000,000 + (1,000,000 + 200,000 - 100,000) / 2

M = 1,000,000 + 1,100,000 / 2

M = 2,100,000 / 2

M = 1,050,000

The mid year population for country A is 1,050,000.

Second,find the net migration for country A and please keep in mind this is simply the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, not the actual rate.

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