emigration
B2Formal, academic, journalistic, official.
Definition
Meaning
The act of leaving one's own country to settle permanently in another.
The process or phenomenon of people departing from their native land to reside abroad. It is the counterpart to immigration, which focuses on entry into a new country.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Focuses on the departure point and the action of leaving. Implies a permanent or long-term move. Often discussed in demographic, economic, and political contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more common in UK contexts discussing historical patterns (e.g., 19th-century emigration from Ireland).
Connotations
Neutral to slightly negative when discussing 'brain drain' or population loss.
Frequency
More frequent than 'out-migration' in both varieties. 'Emigration' is the standard term in formal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
emigration from [country/region]emigration to [country/region]emigration of [group of people]emigration in [time period]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Vote with one's feet (often implies emigration due to dissatisfaction)”
- “Seek greener pastures (can imply emigration for better opportunities)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Analyzing the impact of skilled worker emigration on the local labour market.
Academic
The study quantifies the socioeconomic drivers of rural-to-urban emigration in the developing world.
Everyday
The high cost of living has led to increased emigration among young graduates.
Technical
The model forecasts net emigration based on push-pull factors including wage differentials and political stability indices.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The government expressed concern over the emigration of NHS staff.
- A spike in emigration followed the referendum.
American English
- Emigration from Puerto Rico to the mainland has been significant.
- The policy aimed to stem the emigration of tech talent.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Many people think about emigration for a better job.
- Emigration means leaving your country to live in another one.
- Economic problems often cause increased emigration.
- Her emigration to Australia was a big decision for the whole family.
- Historians have studied the mass emigration from Ireland during the famine.
- The country's net emigration figure turned positive for the first time in a decade.
- The protracted conflict precipitated a wave of emigration, disproportionately affecting the educated middle class.
- Scholars debate whether restrictive emigration policies violate fundamental human rights.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'E' for 'Exit'. Emigration is Exiting your country.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMIGRATION IS A FLOW (of people outwards). EMIGRATION IS AN ESCAPE (from negative conditions). EMIGRATION IS A JOURNEY (towards a new life).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'эмиграция' (which is correct). Be aware that in Russian, 'эмигрант' can have a stronger historical/political connotation (e.g., White émigré) than the English 'emigrant'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'immigration' when you mean the act of leaving (e.g., 'The emigration rate to Canada is high' is wrong if you mean people arriving *in* Canada). Confusing 'emigrant' (one who leaves) with 'immigrant' (one who arrives).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of the term 'emigration'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Emigration is leaving your country to live elsewhere. Immigration is entering a new country to live there. The same person is an emigrant from their old country and an immigrant to their new one.
Not necessarily, but it implies a long-term or permanent change of residence. Short-term moves for work or study are usually called 'expatriation' or simply 'working/studying abroad'.
No. Movement within a country is 'migration' or more specifically 'out-migration' from a region. 'Emigration' specifically refers to crossing international borders.
It occurs when the number of people leaving a country (emigrants) is greater than the number of people entering it (immigrants) over a given period.