International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
51
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijhps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue04 2025
PAGE NO.
51-54
10.37547/ijhps/Volume05Issue04-13
Migration Profile in The Countries of The East
Khodiyeva Azizaxon Iskandar qizi
Second-year Master's student, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Uzbekistan
Received:
28 February 2025;
Accepted:
29 March 2025;
Published:
30 April 2025
Abstract:
This article explores migration flows in the countries of the East by examining their historical roots,
economic and socio-cultural factors, and the role of political and environmental issues. The paper aims to present
a clear picture of why people migrate from and within Eastern countries, offering a student-level understanding
supported by recent literature. The focus is on how different reasons
—
ranging from history and traditions to
modern economic conditions and climate change
—
shape migration patterns in this region.
Keywords:
Migration, Eastern countries, economic factors, culture, environment, politics, history.
Introduction:
Migration has been part of human life
since the earliest times. In the Eastern countries, which
include parts of Asia, the Middle East, and some areas
of North Africa, migration has had deep roots in history.
It is important to understand how migration developed
over time and what reasons push people to move from
one place to another, especially in the context of the
East. In ancient times, many of these countries were
part of the Silk Road, a network of trade routes
connecting China, India, Persia, and even parts of
Europe and Africa (Frankopan, 2015). These trade
routes not only brought goods like silk and spices but
also people
—
merchants, scholars, and workers
—
who
migrated for business, knowledge, or better lives.
In fact, in countries like India and China, historical
migration happened both internally and across
borders. For example, in China, the movement of
workers from rural areas to cities has a long tradition
that continues today, especially after economic
reforms started in the 1980s (Chan, 2012). Similarly, in
India, internal migration has long been a response to
agricultural cycles and caste-based discrimination
(Deshingkar & Start, 2003). In the Middle East,
historical migrations were often linked to religion and
tribal life. The migration of Muslims from Mecca to
Medina in 622 CE, known as the Hijrah, is one of the
most important examples in Islamic history.
Today, migration in the Eastern world is shaped by both
past and present forces. The economic factor is one of
the main reasons people choose to leave their homes.
Many people from countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan,
the Philippines, and Nepal migrate to richer countries
in the Gulf, such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi
Arabia, and Qatar, to work in construction, domestic
service, and other sectors. These migrants usually do
not have access to citizenship in their host countries
and often live in difficult conditions. According to the
International Labour Organization (2021), migrant
workers make up 70% or more of the labor force in
several Gulf countries, showing how dependent these
economies are on foreign labor.
In South-East Asia, countries like Thailand and Malaysia
also receive many migrants from poorer neighbors like
Myanmar and Cambodia. These people often work in
factories, fisheries, or as domestic workers. While they
help the economy, they are sometimes victims of
exploitation and abuse. For example, a 2018 report by
Amnesty International found that many migrant
workers in Malaysia face long working hours, low pay,
and even forced labor. Despite these issues, economic
migration continues because it often offers better
opportunities than staying at home, especially when
there is unemployment or poverty.
Globalization has also played an important role in
shaping migration patterns in the East. The growth of
multinational companies and free trade has increased
the demand for cheap labor in many countries. While
this has created job opportunities, it has also led to
economic inequalities. For instance, large factories in
Vietnam or Bangladesh often hire thousands of
International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences (ISSN
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2771-2222)
workers, most of them young women, to produce
goods for export to Western countries. These workers
usually receive very low wages and work in poor
conditions. A study by Mahmud and Ahmed (2021)
found that many garment workers in Dhaka,
Bangladesh, earn less than the legal minimum wage
and are not allowed to join labor unions. These
situations encourage people to move either within the
country or abroad in search of better-paying jobs, even
if the jobs are risky or unstable.
In addition to globalization, the rise of digital
technologies has also made migration easier in some
ways. Today, many migrants use social media and
messaging apps to stay in touch with their families and
to find jobs, housing, and travel information. There are
even online platforms specifically created for migrant
workers to learn about their rights and report abuse.
For example, in the Philippines, the government has
developed online services to support its overseas
workers, who are called OFWs (Overseas Filipino
Workers). These tools make it easier for migrants to
plan their journeys and communicate across borders.
However, digital access is not equal everywhere. Many
poor or rural migrants still do not have access to mobile
phones or the internet, which puts them at a
disadvantage and increases the risk of being exploited
by agents or employers.
Moreover, the structure of labor migration systems in
many Eastern countries can sometimes make migrants
more vulnerable. In the Gulf countries, the kafala
(sponsorship) system gives employers a high level of
control over migrant workers. This system has been
criticized by human rights organizations because it
often results in workers being trapped in abusive jobs.
Although some reforms have been introduced in
countries like Qatar, serious problems remain
(Amnesty International, 2020). Migrants under this
system often cannot change jobs or leave the country
without permission from their sponsor. This
dependency can lead to forced labor or other abuses.
Still, millions of workers accept these risks because they
see no other way to support their families. These
conditions show how economic need can push people
to accept unfair systems, making reform efforts all the
more important.
Besides economics, socio-cultural factors also play a
strong role in migration. Family connections, traditions,
and education influence why and how people migrate.
In many Eastern cultures, there is a strong desire to
support the family financially. Often, one family
member, usually a man, will migrate abroad to earn
money and send remittances home. These remittances
are important for the home country’s economy. For
example, in Nepal, remittances account for nearly 24%
of GDP (World Bank, 2022). This shows how migration
is not only about personal goals but also about
supporting communities and even national economies.
Culture also affects how migrants adapt to new
environments. For example, in Arab Gulf countries,
cultural and religious similarities between migrants
from Muslim-majority countries and their host
societies can make it easier for migrants to adjust.
However, even when there are cultural links, there can
still be challenges. Migrants may experience
discrimination or feel excluded from social life. Also, in
many Asian cultures, shame and honor play a big role,
so failure abroad can be hard to admit. Therefore,
many migrants feel pressure to succeed even if they
suffer abroad.
In addition to personal shame, social pressure from
families and communities back home can also influence
how migrants experience their journey. In many
Eastern societies, especially in South Asia and
Southeast Asia, migration is often seen as a way to
bring honor and economic success to the whole family.
Parents may spend their savings or take out loans to
send a child abroad for work or education, expecting
future financial returns. This puts pressure on the
migrant to succeed at all costs, even if they face
hardship or failure. If they return home without
success, they may be seen as a disappointment. These
social expectations can affect mental health, as many
migrants report feelings of isolation, anxiety, or even
depression. According to a study by Liu and Pan (2020),
migrant workers in urban China often suffer from
emotional stress caused by family separation and social
stigma.
Gender roles also shape migration in important ways.
In many cases, women migrants are judged more
harshly than men, especially if they leave home alone
or go abroad to work. In conservative communities, it
is not always accepted for women to live independently
in foreign countries. Yet more and more women are
becoming labor migrants, particularly in sectors like
domestic work, caregiving, and healthcare. In countries
like the Philippines and Indonesia, millions of women
work abroad to support their families. While this gives
them more financial freedom, it can also expose them
to exploitation or abuse. At the same time, their role as
breadwinners
is
changing
traditional
gender
expectations. This shift can cause tensions both in the
host countries and back at home, where families must
adjust to new power dynamics and responsibilities.
Education is another cultural factor that influences
migration. Many students from Eastern countries go
abroad to study, especially in Western countries like
the USA, UK, and Australia. But there is also an increase
International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2222)
in regional educational migration. For instance,
students from Central Asia often move to countries like
Turkey, China, or Russia for higher education (ICEF
Monitor, 2023). This kind of migration is seen as an
investment in the future. After studying abroad, some
students return home with new skills, while others
choose to stay and work in their host countries. This
"brain drain" can be a problem for the home country,
especially if educated people do not return.
Apart from economic and cultural reasons, political
issues also influence migration. In the East, there are
many areas of conflict and political instability. Syria,
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen have seen large numbers
of people fleeing war and violence. According to
UNHCR (2023), Syria alone has produced over 6.8
million refugees, most of them going to neighboring
countries like Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. These host
countries now face social and economic pressure
because of the high number of refugees. In Myanmar,
the Rohingya crisis is another example of forced
migration. Since 2017, over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims
have fled to Bangladesh to escape violence and
persecution (Human Rights Watch, 2023).
Sometimes, even when there is no war, people migrate
because of government oppression or lack of freedom.
In places where there are restrictions on speech,
religion, or movement, people may feel they have no
future. For example, some people from Iran or China
migrate for political freedom or to escape censorship
and surveillance. Although these migrants are often
educated, they face challenges in finding work or
getting asylum in the West. Political migration is often
more difficult than economic migration because it
involves long legal processes and uncertainty.
Lastly, the environment is becoming a more serious
factor in Eastern migration. Climate change is causing
floods, droughts, and natural disasters, especially in
countries like Bangladesh, India, and parts of Southeast
Asia. The World Bank (2021) estimates that over 40
million people in South Asia could become "climate
migrants" by 2050. These are people who are forced to
move not because of war or jobs, but because their
homes are no longer livable due to rising sea levels or
extreme weather. For example, in Bangladesh, rising
seas are already forcing people to leave their coastal
villages and move to crowded cities like Dhaka, where
they often live in slums without proper services.
Climate change is not only causing physical damage to
homes and farmlands, but also disrupting traditional
ways of life. In some parts of South and Southeast Asia,
rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall are
making farming and fishing much more difficult. For
example, in parts of rural India, extreme heat waves
and water shortages are forcing people to leave their
villages and move to cities in search of survival (Rigaud
et al., 2018). These environmental migrants are often
unprepared for life in crowded cities, where they may
struggle to find jobs or housing. In many cases, they join
the informal sector, working in dangerous or unstable
jobs without legal protection. The World Bank
estimates that by 2050, over 40 million people in South
Asia alone could become internal climate migrants if
current trends continue (Rigaud et al., 2018).
Environmental migration is also connected to political
instability. When large numbers of people move due to
natural disasters, it can put pressure on governments
and public services. In some countries, this can increase
social tensions between local populations and
newcomers. If governments do not have clear policies
for managing migration or helping displaced people, it
can lead to protests, discrimination, or even conflict. In
Myanmar,
for
example,
a
combination
of
environmental degradation, ethnic tension, and poor
governance has made the situation for displaced
groups even worse. The 2021 military coup further
weakened the country’s a
bility to support internal
migrants or refugees (International Crisis Group, 2021).
These complex conditions show how environmental
and political crises can interact, pushing more people
to move in unsafe and unplanned ways.
In addition, international responses to migration
caused by environmental and political factors are still
limited. Most countries in Asia do not recognize
“climate refugee” as a legal status. This makes it
difficult for people fleeing environmental disasters to
seek asylum or receive official protection. Even in major
global discussions on migration, such as the UN Global
Compact for Migration, the focus has been more on
economic migration than environmental causes.
Researchers like McLeman and Gemenne (2018) argue
that it is essential to include climate migration in global
policy frameworks. Otherwise, millions of vulnerable
people could be left without help as the planet
continues to warm.
Environmental migration also affects agriculture. When
crops fail due to drought or flood, farmers lose their
income and must find work elsewhere. In Central Asia,
the drying up of the Aral Sea has caused economic
decline and migration from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
In addition, disasters such as earthquakes and
typhoons also cause people to move, either
temporarily or permanently. Governments in Eastern
countries are starting to realize the need to prepare for
environmental migration, but the process is slow, and
many people are still at risk.
CONCLUSION
International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
54
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijhps
International Journal Of History And Political Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2222)
In conclusion, migration in the countries of the East is a
complex topic with historical, economic, social,
political, and environmental aspects. People move for
many different reasons
—
sometimes because they
want to, and other times because they have no choice.
Understanding migration means looking at both the
personal stories of migrants and the larger systems that
affect their decisions. For students and researchers, it
is important to continue studying this topic because
migration affects every part of society
—
from the
economy to culture, to politics, and the environment.
As global challenges continue, especially with climate
change and political conflict, migration will remain a
key issue in the Eastern world.
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