What are push factors in migration?

Push factors in migration refer to negative circumstances that compel individuals or groups to leave their current location and seek refuge or opportunities elsewhere. These factors can include war, persecution, natural disasters, poverty, or lack of employment opportunities. When these adverse conditions prevail, they create a sense of urgency or necessity that drives people away from their home regions.

For instance, individuals fleeing conflict or famine are acting on push factors, as they seek safety and stability in a different environment. In contrast, other choices focus on positive aspects or incentives that might draw people to a new location, which does not align with the definition of push factors. Therefore, the concept emphasizes the challenges and difficulties present in the original location that motivate migration.