What is a push factor?

A push factor refers specifically to the reasons or conditions that compel individuals to leave their current location, often due to unfavorable circumstances or challenges present in their home area. This can include factors such as economic hardship, political instability, social unrest, environmental disasters, or lack of opportunities. In this context, the area a person comes from is critical in understanding the motivations behind migration.

When individuals face difficult situations in their home country, they are often motivated to seek better living conditions elsewhere. This makes the identification of push factors essential for understanding the dynamics of migration patterns, as they provide insight into the challenges that drive individuals away from their original homes. Other options do not accurately capture the essence of push factors or relate to the broader context of migration. For instance, attractors to a new area would be considered pull factors, while benefits of staying in one’s country and immigration policy fall outside the definition of a push factor.