(This is an archived page, from the Patterns of Power Edition 3 book. Current versions are at book contents).
Population movements are increasing:
· Companies are endlessly moving, as described in the previous section (3.4.2), and they can grow or shrink, or they might need new skills. These movements of jobs result in movements of people.
· Climate change may lead to some forced migration, looking for land and jobs.
· People sometimes become refugees, forced to move by threats to their safety: wars or oppression.
· Demographics will play a very big part in the geography of labour. Population growth is fastest in the poorest countries. Existing populations are ageing in rich European countries, whereas there is a predominance of young people in poorer African countries – as described, for example, in a Telegraph article entitled Mapped: The world's most elderly (and youngest) countries; the UN Population Division gives more details on its website. There is a constant flow of people from poorer countries, seeking work in rich countries.
There are economic consequences at both ends of migration, as examined below: the impact of job losses and emigration (3.4.3.2), and the impact of immigration (3.4.3.3).