FS 3.221: Impacts of immigration and outmigration in Rural Europe and Global South

Migration significantly changes both the countries of immigration and the countries of emigration. Emigration regions, which are mostly located in rural, mountainous and peripheral regions, are often characterised by a weak economic situation, poor infrastructure, poorly developed public transport and low population density. In turn, emigration contributes to a further thinning out of the existing infrastructure or social and cultural life, which leads to further emigration (often of the young, educated and upwardly mobile population, especially young women). This sets off a negative spiral. Immigration usually takes place to larger cities that are already home to many immigrants and whose ‘super divesity’ (Steven Vertovec 2024) continues to grow. The cities are characterised not only by a diversity of ethnicities, languages, cultures and religions, but also by challenges. However, rural regions are also experiencing increased international immigration. Although they are not “immigration magnets” like cities, immigration helps them e.g. to mitigate the declining birth rates and labour shortages that are prevalent in European countries. The aim of this focus session is to discuss the various social, economic, ecological or climate impacts of immigration and out-migration in rural, mountainous or peripheral regions of Europe as well as of the Global South, with a special focus on Alpine and the Himalaya region.