What are the impacts of national and international migration in Birmingham?

The Impact of Migration in Birmingham

People move to Birmingham from other parts of the UK and other countries. This is because of push factors (reasons to leave a place) and pull factors (reasons to move to a new place).

Some people leave smaller towns or countryside areas because there aren’t many jobs. They are attracted to Birmingham because it has more work opportunities and higher wages. The city also has good schools, hospitals, and services, which attract both national and international migrants.

Cultural Impacts

Birmingham is now one of the UK’s most multicultural cities. Many people from countries such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh have settled in areas like Small Heath, Sparkbrook, Ladywood, Handsworth, Aston, and Soho. These areas have affordable terraced housing and strong community ties.

Shops, restaurants, and services in these areas often reflect the cultures of the people who live there. You’ll also find many different places of worship, including mosques, gurdwaras, and temples.

At school, children in Birmingham speak over 100 different languages, including Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, and Somali. For many students, English is not their native language, and in approximately 1 in 10 migrant households, no one over 16 speaks English as their first language.

Social and Economic Impacts

Migration affects the communities where people settle. Here are some of the main effects:

• Housing: Migrants often live in older, cheaper housing, like 1970s tower blocks or terraced houses in crowded areas.
• Young population: Many migrants are young adults with children, which increases demand for school places.
• Diversity: These areas are highly multicultural, but this can sometimes lead to tensions between different groups.
• Growing population: These communities are experiencing rapid growth, which puts pressure on local services.
• Services: There is a high demand for schools, healthcare, and jobs, especially in poorer areas.
• Inequality: Some migrant communities face poverty and disadvantage. The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) indicates that some regions of Birmingham are more deprived than others. This index examines factors such as income, health, education, housing, crime, and the environment to assess people’s quality of life.