INTERNAL POPULATION MOVEMENTS CASE STUDY: RURAL – TO – URBAN MIGRATION FROM NORTHEAST TO SOUTHEAST BRAZIL

Rural to Urban Migration NE to SE Brazil

Changes in HDI for Federative Units in Brazil, 1991 - 2010 1991 2000 2010

0.800–1.000   Very high human development  0.600–0.699   Medium human development  0.500–0.599   Low human development  0.000–0.499   Very low human development Every region of Brazil has significantly increased its Human Development Index in the span of two decades, with no federative unit under low human development by 2010. South, Southeast and Central-West are the most advanced regions, while the North and Northeast still present medium human development.

Intro What is rural-urban migration? There are two main effects: The movement of people from the countryside to the city. There are two main effects: Urban growth - towns and cities expand, covering a greater areas of land. This is also known as urban sprawl. Urbanisation - an increasing proportion of people living in towns and cities. In LEDCs this can lead to the development of mega or world cities - those with over 10 million people.

Important Terms When studying internal population movements, the terms in-migration and out-migration are used. Do not confuse these with immigration and emigration. These are used when looking at international migrations. Internally displaced people – people forced to flee their homes due to human (e.g. civil war) or environmental factors (e.g. volcanic eruption, flooding, drought) but who remain in the same country. Remittances – money sent back to their families in their home communities by migrants.

Rural – to – urban migration in Brazil Reasons for the movements

Reasons We are going to look at why people have left the North-East and why they chose to go to cities in the SE such as Sao Paulo. We are also going to look at the positives and negatives to each community as a result of these migrations. Look how dry it is and how little is growing

Push Factors

Push Factors

Push Factors In NE Brazil (e.g. State of Bahia) 80% of Brazil’s farmland is owned by 10% of farmers. The other 90% struggle to make any money at all with small plots of poor land. Historically the large farms had slaves to do the labour. Once slavery was abolished the people had no education or skills to do anything else so continued as poorly paid farm labourers. However as Brazil developed, machines were bought to do most of the work on the large farms. This means there are less jobs in the countryside.

Push Factors As well as the mechanisation of farming, there are many other PUSH factors from NE Brazil such as: A lack of services such as schools and hospitals Drought can make farming the land hard, especially as overgrazing with cattle has led to soil erosion in many areas. Malaria is a killer disease, especially with poor healthcare. Lack of job opportunities (agriculture is the only option for most people) Pressure on the land – land is subdivided in large families leaving smaller and smaller plots of land.

Pull Factors

Pull Factors Attraction to the urban areas People are attracted to urban areas because they think that they will have greater opportunities there. For many, life is better but some end up in poverty.

Pull Factors Attraction to SE Brazil It has over two thirds of the nation’s wealth. Most of Brazil’s industries are located here so there is a greater range of employment opportunities. Higher wages than in the Northeast More and better quality services (school, hospitals, roads) Attraction of the ‘bright lights’ of the city (e.g. Carnival in Rio) A perception of a better quality of life, better housing etc. (though this might not necessarily be the reality when they arrive in the favelas)

Northeast Southeast

Rural – to – urban migration in Brazil The impacts of internal migration on the place of origin and the destination

The effects of migration on the place of origin

The effects of migration on the place of origin In this type of internal migration the place of origin will be a rural area (in northeast Brazil) The primary effect is rural depopulation This is usually occurs when large numbers of working age people migrate from the countryside to the city. What do you think will be the positive and negative effects of this?

Positive effects of migration on the rural environment Rural depopulation reduces pressure on the land, improving the agricultural opportunities of those left behind. Migrants often send money back to their home villages from the city. These remittances may improve the quality of life and stimulate the rural economy through various multiplier effects.

Negative effects of migration on the rural environment Rural depopulation can mean that the old and the very young are left behind to try to cope with farming and other economic activities by themselves. As a result the dependency ratio will increase Villages will have ageing populations as it is mainly young people that move away looking for new opportunities and start families in the city. The elderly and women left behind will have to work harder with no young men to do the work and support them.

Negative effects of migration on the rural environment Loss of community spirit Usually males are the first to leave. This creates a gender imbalance and affects the population structure. With a fall in population and labour, private investors in commercial agriculture (cash crops) may force people away from their land.

The effects of migration on urban areas

Positive effects of migration on urban areas Migrants provide a constant supply of cheap labour for Brazil’s growing industries which are based in the southeast, especially São Paulo Once families get established in the city their quality of life often improves and many favelas have been made permanent and improved. For example, the Favela-Bairio programme seeks to improve the services and infrastructure, in 300 of Rio’s favelas, as well as promote self-help amongst the residents who live there.

Negative effects of migration on urban areas Services cannot cope with rapid population increase – overcrowded schools and hospitals Not enough housing available – people are forced to live in squatter settlements called ‘favelas’ which (at first) do not have running water, sanitation, electricity, roads or refuse collections. There may not be jobs available for all migrants which has led many to turn to crime in the city. High levels of poverty has led to many social ills, with high levels of child labour, prostitution and drug use.

Northeastern Brazil

South and Southeastern Brazil