Final answer:
A push factor is a compelling condition that drives individuals to leave their current place of residence, often due to negative circumstances like political instability, poverty, or natural disasters. These push factors are counterbalanced by 'pull' factors, which attract individuals to new areas with better opportunities. Understanding the interplay between these factors is essential for studying global migration patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is a push factor? A push factor can be defined as a reason or set of reasons that compels a person to leave their place of residence or country. These factors are usually negative and can lead to individuals making the decision to migrate in search of better opportunities. Conditions such as political unrest, poverty, war, land shortages, famine, natural disasters, high crime rates, a lack of resources, and discrimination are prominent examples that drive people away from their current location, often towards areas that offer more security, economic stability, and a higher quality of life.
These push factors are often contrasted with “pull” factors, which are conditions that attract individuals to a new location, such as job prospects, better living conditions, social amenities like healthcare or education, and sometimes the overall allure of a more prosperous urban environment. The interplay between push and pull factors plays a significant role in human migration and forms the basis for understanding much of the movement patterns observed globally.