Contemporary Issues

Migration

Migration refers to the movement of people from one location to another, with the intention to settle, either temporarily or permanently. Considered as one part of social development.
Migration can be internal (within a country) or international (from one country to another).
Causes of migration may be economic, social, political or environmental. These could include seeking job opportunities, escaping political instability, war, persecution, natural disasters, or climate change.
Impacts of migration can be both positive and negative. They could include economic growth, cultural diversity, but also pressure on housing and social services, or potential social tension.
Recognize the role of migration policies and the influence of global political and economic factors on emigration and immigration patterns.

An aging population results when the median age of a country increases due to a decline in fertility rates and/or rising life expectancy.
Countries with an aging population face issues such as an increase in healthcare and pension costs, a decrease in the working-age population, and potential changes in political priorities.
Strategies used to cope with an aging population can include promoting active aging, migration policies to increase the working-age population, and evolving healthcare and social care systems.
Aging population is a significant social development issue, as it has deep implications on societal structures and finances.

Urbanisation refers to the increasing proportion of a country’s population living in towns or cities, instead of rural areas.
Rapid urbanisation commonly happens in emerging economies and can create several issues such as strain on infrastructure and services, pollution, and development of informal settlements.
Urbanisation can also lead to social and cultural change, with shifts in community structure.
Characteristics of sustainable cities include efficient use of resources, minimising waste and pollution, quality of life, good governance, and resilience to disasters.
Strategies for managing rapid urbanisation can include planning more sustainable cities, improving infrastructure, implementing policies to control rural-urban migration, and upgrading slum areas.

Global inequality refers to the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among different countries.
Factors contributing to global inequality include historical factors (such as colonialism), economic factors (such as trade policies and debt), and political factors (like corruption).
Effects of global inequality include disparities in education, healthcare, and income, potentially leading to increased poverty and limit social development.
Measures to address global inequality include fair trade, debt relief, effective governance, education and capacity-building, and sustainable economic policies.