What role do push factors play in the context of migration?

Push factors are critical in understanding migration because they refer to the conditions or circumstances that compel individuals to leave their current location. These factors can include a variety of issues such as political instability, economic hardship, lack of job opportunities, environmental disasters, or social strife. Essentially, push factors are negative attributes of a place that create a sense of urgency or necessity for individuals to seek a better life elsewhere.

In contrast to pull factors, which attract migrants to a new location with positive attributes, push factors focus solely on the driving forces that make individuals or groups want to leave. Therefore, recognizing push factors enhances our understanding of the complex motivations behind migration patterns and the search for a more favorable living environment.