emigrants

Emigrant is a person who leaves their country of origin to reside in another country. The term derives from the French émigrer and the Latin emigrare. Emigration describes the act and the broader phenomenon; the counterpart is immigration, the arrival in a new country.

In everyday usage the terms emigrant and immigrant reflect perspective: an emigrant is someone who leaves the origin country, while an immigrant is someone who arrives in the destination country. Many legal and statistical contexts treat individuals as both, depending on the analysis and time frame.

History and patterns of emigration vary widely. Emigration can be voluntary, driven by economic opportunities, family reunification, or the search for safety and political stability. It can also be forced, as in cases of exile, persecution, or famine. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, large-scale European emigration shaped the Americas and other regions. Later, postcolonial movements and global labor markets produced diverse flows, including skilled migration, temporary work, and student mobility, alongside ongoing displacement.

Impacts of emigration are felt on both origin and destination. Origin countries may experience remittances, investment, or labor shortages, sometimes accompanied by a “brain drain.” Destination countries gain labor forces and cultural diversity but may face integration challenges and policy debates. Diaspora networks can sustain economic and social ties, influencing development in the home country through trade, investment, and information exchange.

Measurement and policy use emigrant statistics to assess population change, labor supply, and aging trends. Emigration is shaped by push factors in origin countries and pull factors in receiving nations, as well as global economic conditions and governance.