Caribbean Migration Phenomenon

By Paul Andrew Bourne, BSc. (Hons) Economics and Demography

George Beckford (Caribbean Economy 1, pp.7) states that, "The present characteristics and attitudes of the population of the Caribbean have undoubtedly been very greatly influenced by our population history. Population history of the Caribbean was almost entirely a history of Migration."

In general, migration has influenced tremendously the population size in terms of external migration, it is observed that for both countries more women are migrating than men. For example in Jamaica between 1982 and 1998, approximately 110,000 female migrated from the country while a little over 84,000 males migrated within the same periods. The implication is that there is a loss of approximately 297,000 children, hence the fertility rate will be adversely affected, it means the birth rate will be drastically reduced. This will further result in a reduction in the population size of the countries. Subsequently, Internal migration affects the composition and structure of the population.


There has been a movement of people from certain parishes such as Kingston and St. Ann to other parishes such as St. Andrew and St. James where there are drastic increases in the population. This is because of deurbanization, through infrastructure change such as the construction of houses in these areas.


The decade of the 90's saw reduction in the number of migrants. Both halves of the period had a decline following the increase in the previous decade. This reduction can be attributed to the restriction in the immigration laws of the U.S.A., Canada, and the U.K. However, the number of illegal migrants is not part of the net external movement data, which suggests that the figures may not be a true reflection of the total number of emigrants. The age and sex composition of emigrants are between the 0-30 age group, with majority females who are within the fertility age. A part of this group also falls in the working age population, which will inevitably affect the labour force.


Emigration has contributed considerably to the reduction of the population size and has served as a balance with the high rate of natural increase. In contrast, a number of changes to immigration policies of the U.S.A., Canada and the U.K. that restrict the number of emigrants and permit the exodus of convicted criminals (Jamaicans) will result in overpopulation of the Jamaican society in years to come. According to Ravenstein (1889) Push - Pull theory, pull factors (to better oneself materially) are more importantly than push factors.

According to Harrison (Tourism and the Less Developed Countries, 1992), "If political instability occurs, the developing nations' ability to cope is far less. International loans for industry become impossible to finance." Therefore, in Jamaica, in 1980, the General Elections according to many Gleaner columnists, were the worst in the history of the nation as bloodshed was equal to nothing of its predecessors. This explains why the net migration balance was so alarming high (-216900) and equally alarming was the figure in 1970 (-296,500). As both periods were earmark of political instability that of socialism through the Michael Manley administration.


For Jamaica the building of the Panama Canal, World War 1 & 2 , Industrialization , cheaper transportation were the main factors contributing to migration. The migrant population from Jamaica to the U.S.A. is estimated at 2.5 million. One could imagine the socio/economic implication these people would have on our country infrastructure such as, education, housing, health, etc. if they had not have the outlet of migration. Migration of these people has created opportunities for others, in terms of employment, ownership of business, housing and land.


With a migrant population base of 2.5 million Jamaicans in the U.S., the potential for large numbers of people continuing to migrate from Jamaica is still great, as under the revised Immigration and Nationality act of 1952, U.S. citizens can file for close relatives.


Therefore, migration shall continue to exist in Jamaica a place riddle with crime and violence, corruption, injustices unless the Government curtails indiscipline and expand the economic base of the Country against the background of equal opportunities for all irrespective of class, religion, sex or residence. Whereas, in the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago external migration although place a role in population size and composition this is mainly due to world depression in oil prices that normally bring about this phenomenon. What was observed in the twin island was that more and more peoples are migration internally because of the expansion in investment in the oil fields in the south coast.