labor migration

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Labor migration refers to workers who move systematically from one region to another, offering their services temporarily, often on a seasonal basis. This phenomenon is found globally, including in South Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and India.1

Causes and Conditions:
* Demand: Increased agricultural production and a shortage of local farm laborers, often due to higher wages in other sectors, drive the demand for migrant workers.1
* Supply: Unfavorable economic and social conditions in their home regions typically motivate individuals to become migrant laborers.1
* Work: Agricultural migrant work often involves manual, repetitive tasks easily learned, following harvest seasons. In urban settings, employment periods can be longer.1
* Challenges: Migrant workers often face lower wages, poor working conditions, limited access to services, and can be vulnerable to exploitation. Child labor is also a concern in some regions.1

Global Patterns:
* North America: Migrant workers are often employed in farmwork, following harvest cycles across different states.1
* Europe and Middle East: Migrant labor is frequently recruited for urban employment, with longer stays.1
* South Africa: Historically, migrant labor was a cornerstone of the apartheid system, drawing black workers from rural areas to cities.1
* Sports: Labor migration is also prevalent in elite sports, involving athletes, coaches, and administrators who move seasonally or travel extensively for competitions.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Botswana
Demographic trends
Meanwhile, the rate of labor migration abroad has been reduced by a combination of restrictions by South Africa and increased employment opportunities at home. Botswana has provided a home, and sometimes eventual citizenship, for significant numbers of refugees from South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
Read More
Meanwhile, the rate of labor migration abroad has been reduced by a combination of restrictions by South Africa and increased employment opportunities at home. Botswana has provided a home, and sometimes eventual citizenship, for significant numbers of refugees from South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
Read More

Burkina Faso
Economy
…almost one-third of the country’s labour force, have been abroad at any given time. (In the early 21st century, however, unrest in neighbouring countries, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire, made it difficult for Burkinabés to find employment.) The development of industry in Burkina Faso is hampered by the small size of…
Read More
…almost one-third of the country’s labour force, have been abroad at any given time. (In the early 21st century, however, unrest in neighbouring countries, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire, made it difficult for Burkinabés to find employment.) The development of industry in Burkina Faso is hampered by the small size of…
Read More

Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg
This migration stopped in the 1990s. Nyíregyháza evolved into a regional economic centre, where machinery, plastics, and rubber are manufactured. Food processing and the chemical, electronics, textile, and optical industries all play a significant role in the county’s economy.
Read More
This migration stopped in the 1990s. Nyíregyháza evolved into a regional economic centre, where machinery, plastics, and rubber are manufactured. Food processing and the chemical, electronics, textile, and optical industries all play a significant role in the county’s economy.
Read More