Push factor

Migration involved push factors, which encouraged people to leave, and pull factors, which attracted them elsewhere. Often these worked together: hardship at home made an uncertain opportunity in the West seem worth the risk.

A push factor is a condition at the place of origin that encourages or compels people to leave. War, persecution and natural disasters can all act as push factors.

During the 1950s and 1960s, political deterioration in Pakistan acted as a push factor, while continuing economic opportunities in Britain acted as a pull factor. The threat of tougher British immigration controls also encouraged migration. Anticipated restrictions could lead people to move sooner, before entry became harder, rather than immediately reduce arrivals.