Various factors drive people to migrate. There are three main pulling factors which attract people to emigrate from their homelands. Pull factors are defined as positive characteristics of a place which attracts people to migrate there, in order to enjoy the respective benefits offered. In my opinion, a wide range of economic opportunities are the most important pull factor. Compared to other pull factors such as better healthcare, education facilities, and political stability, a wide range of economic opportunities have the greatest impact on a potential migrant. Economic opportunities serve as the most significant factor in terms of impact on the migrant.
A wide range of economic opportunities is one of the reasons which influences migration. People who migrate to more developed countries will experience generally higher wages, and an abundance of job opportunities to consider. Research has shown that in the United Kingdom, the minimum wage is about twice of the average wage earned by people in Poland. Thus, the number of Polish nationals in the UK has steadily increased, from 75,000 to 532,000 in the last 10 years. If migrants are unable to find work, they are generally able to receive more welfare benefits in a new destination country. This furthers the migrant's are draw to these countries, in order to improve their financial situation. .
The wide range of job opportunities allows potential immigrants to further their respective careers. If certain jobs are available in the destination country, which are not available or common in the country of origin, this will cause more people in that line of work to migrate in order to further their careers. This will result in a higher standard of living for migrants. Additionally, a greater quality of life as migrants will be able to obtain more access to luxury items, and modern devices which helps to make peoples' lives more efficient. Hence, a wide range of economic opportunities are an important pull factor.
