HUMAN migration is a universal phenomenon. Throughout known history, migrations took place for various reasons from place to place. In the early stages of human history, it was basically in search of food and shelter due to geographical compulsions. With the development of human habitation, the concept of security for the family emerged, leading to migrations by human races seeking protection and resources. As societies developed, tribesmen consolidated themselves into the fiefdoms of distinct tribes, later evolving into their own principalities and eventually leading to kingdoms. Power became centralized, leading to more powerful entities taking over land and resources from others, often resulting in wars and mass migrations. In human history, great migrations occurred from Central Asia to Europe and South Asia. Today, the majority consists of immigrants who settled in the robust regions of Europe and Asia. Political power and the capture of resources eventually became the norm in the following centuries. This trend persists even today, albeit in different forms.
There are multiple factors responsible for the migrations in time and space. It was food and shelter in the beginning. Basically, the geography was the prime driver for the migration for human races. With the development of societies other factors emerged which triggered the migrations. The political struggle in the societies forced humans to flee to other areas to save themselves from the oppressors. The other factors include economic compulsions, quest of power, political and religious persecutions. In the modern times food and shelter has taken the back seat. It is now the urge to up the life style. Presently, it is this factor or the impulse people migrate to other places to better the life and benefit from the economic prosperity of those countries. The rise of nationhood in 18/19th century created political oppression.
In recent decades, populations have been declining in regions like England, the EU, the Americas, Canada, and Russia due to low growth rates, hovering around 1.38%, well below the replacement level of 2%. This shift towards smaller families is driven by a desire for personal freedom and reluctance to take on the responsibilities of raising children. Additionally, Malthusian theories and alleged efforts by a “deep state” to control population growth for resource conservation have influenced this trend. Such policies, historically implemented in regions like Cambodia, have led to significant depopulation, echoed in conflicts across the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Afghanistan.
However, the populations of the EU and Americas are experiencing growth due to immigration, particularly from Muslim immigrants, whose population growth rates exceed 2.2%. Demographic experts predict that within the next 20 to 30 years, many countries will have a Muslim majority in their populations. This demographic shift fuels understandable resistance to immigration, despite the ongoing need for manpower. Anecdotes, such as the sale of more adult diapers than children’s diapers in Japan, underscore the challenges posed by aging populations.
Currently, two phenomena are evident. Firstly, oppressive regimes and conflicts have sparked violence in countries like Sudan, Yemen, various African nations, and parts of Asia. Recent examples include the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the war in Gaza, where significant loss of life has occurred. The second phenomenon involves purposeful genocide, often carried out with the tacit approval or strategic interests of major powers, influenced by deep state policies. Gaza serves as a prime example, where the cleanup aligns with the strategic goals of Israel and the United States. The resilience shown by Palestinian resistance is commendable. The proposed shipping canal from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, terminating in Gaza, gains significance in this context. However, Israeli defense forces have already initiated construction of a road dividing Gaza into segments.
The decreasing population has opened a window of opportunity for the Asian and Far East counties including Africa where population is more. People are migrating to upgrade the lifestyle and in search of better opportunities in richer and developed countries. It is simply an issue of demand and supply. In Europe, England and even in Americas the present low growth rate and aging of the population has created manpower shortages. Presently, it is around 1.38 %. The declining phenomenon in population growth is not reversible in immediate future as per experts. The migration to the developed countries currently is universal global phenomena. In South Asia all the three major countries – India, Pakistan and Bangladesh – are encouraging their populations to move in search of jobs in developed countries. In this case the West and Americas are choosy.
Pakistani youth is a blessing. There is however a lobby in Pakistan who cry boggy of brain drain. It is simply export of manpower where demand exists. The overseas Pakistanis send part of their earnings back home for the families. The amount runs into billions of dollars. Pakistan receives in the average $3 billion a month which is for greater than the IMF packages. The banking channels account for around only 50% of remittances, rest is through Hundi. Though undocumented cash flow has an impact on inflation but it sustains livelihood of millions. The potential to export manpower is far greater. India is receiving 350 billion US$ from expatriates. They have set up skill development centres to train manpower in multiple fields from finance to IT. They get blue or white collar jobs and earn more and also have impact in those societies. Whereas in Pakistan we mostly send labour in majority as compared to technically-trained manpower. There is lack of appropriate training and skill development centres to train manpower according to demand. Our colleges and universities are churning out graduates with worthless piece of papers. There is no demand for such graduates. Our commercial attachés have no research mechanism to asses the true demand in different fields in respective countries nor do they have funds. Whereas RSS has set up foreign affiliate cells not only to asses demand but also facilitate immigrants. Similarly, RSS is running thousands of skill development cells beside government centres.
—The writer is a senior researcher and analyst. He regularly contributes to the national press.
Email: tariqkhalil21@gmail.com
