World migration theories

For centuries, scholarly interest in human migration has focused on several key interrelated questions. These include why individuals and groups migrate, the factors underpinning destination choices, how migrants adjust to life in their destination, and the impact of migration on identity and belonging. Over the 75-year period covered in this book, multiple theories have emerged, while others have been reassessed and either expanded or diminished in importance. This chapter provides a brief overview of the main schools of thought regarding each of these questions over time to help contextualise the findings and conclusions presented in the remainder of this book. As the discussion focuses on international migration and, specifically, on theories applicable to those migrating from Ireland or similar countries, theories related to refugees, asylum seekers, forced migration, deportation, and other migration types are not included.