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Ian J Mikowski
Luke
ECON-1
06/15/2020
Increased International Immigration and Trade are the Most Effective Solutions to Third World
Poverty.
Introduction
Poverty in third world countries is a problem that is affecting people. The World Bank
compiles the poverty data and statistics, and the number estimates include people living in ‘dollar-
a-day’ (Moatsos). In the eighties, the poverty levels were 50% of the global population. The
poverty rates have been dropping, and in the 90s, it was by 35%. By 2012, the poverty rates were
15% (Moatsos). Some of the problems associated with poverty in the third world are poor living
conditions, lack of water and sanitation, electricity, unavailability of healthcare services,
malnutrition, and disabilities (Banks et al., p.2). There are also widespread cases of social
inequalities that contribute to the exclusion of poor people from access to social and communal
amenities. Some of the variables used in the determination of the poverty lines include the average
levels of income, access to basic and nutritional needs, clothing, and housing (Moatsos). The data
is collected in individual countries to provide consistency, and it is calculated based on the average
local prices of goods in the states.
These poverty conditions are the main contributor to the migration of people from the third
world to developed countries. For example, poor people subjected to exclusion due to social
inequalities lack access to healthcare, education, and job opportunities (Banks et al., p.2). The poor
people are also subjected to low-income jobs, and sometimes joblessness leads to them not being
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able to afford to pay for their medical expenses and education for their children. Hence, poverty
conditions continue to increase. The unfavorable conditions affect the poor people in the third
world, and their primary option is to leave their homes and home countries to search for jobs and
to eliminate the poverty conditions (Rapoport, p.4). The individuals migrate to other countries
where the economy is stable, and there is a higher standard of living.
Other factors that have been promoting migration of people from third world countries to
developed countries is globalization and global economic structures. In this case, globalization and
economic structures are a result of agreements between countries on trade. It involves the increase
in the international flow of goods from one country to the other (Rapoport, p.2). It includes the
sharing of technology and the establishment of financial assets by developed countries in the
developing and third world countries. Globalization has contributed to the countries growing their
GDP; hence, the world’s poverty rates have been reducing (Rapoport, p.2). The need for people to
take part in the globalization efforts has contributed to the increased migration as people move to
developed nations to acquire jobs being created. Also, the economic advancements due to
globalization benefits in the developed countries have been attracting people from the third world;
hence the migration rates of people are still high (Rapoport, p.4).
This research paper aims at evaluating whether the increased international immigration and
trade are the most effective solutions to third world poverty. The first part involves studying the
benefits of immigration for people living in third world countries and the economic benefits. The
second covers the disadvantages of migration about the existing immigration problem in the United
States and the UK. The last part will be the paper’s conclusion, and reflections on the evidence
collected will be provided to approve or disapprove that immigration of people from third world
countries to developed countries is benefiting the people and their economies.
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Pros arguments
Immigration into developed nations has shown positive impacts on third world countries,
and it has been fueling economic growth necessary for poverty eradication. The following are
some of the benefits of immigration from third world countries:
a) Migration contributes to the economic growth of third world countries.
Immigration has substantial benefits to the economy. Individuals migrate to developed
nations in search of sources of income contribute to the growth of the GDP of third-world countries
since they send money to their families, and some start businesses. According to the Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD 2018) report, immigrants from Ghana
contribute to 1% of the GDP growth every year and 19% in Cote d’Ivoire. The average growth of
the DGP is 7% of the money sent from abroad by the immigrants (OECD/ILO), p.15). The other
economic benefit highlighted by the OECD report is that immigration provides more flexible labor
markets, increases demand and diversity of innovations. The flexible labor markets in developed
countries offer immigrants more jobs, and their innovative abilities increase their demand in
employment compared to the countries’ natives (OECD/ILO), p.15). The diversification of the
workforce allows the industries and other working stations to continue employing more immigrant
workers. The other economic advantage is an increase in public finance. The money sent by
immigrants to third world countries have been helping in offsetting their public expenditures in
countries such as Nepal and Kyrgyzstan (OECD/ILO), p.16). It shows that immigrants contribute
positively to their home countries’ economies.
b) Immigrants enjoy the freedom and a better quality of life.
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Poverty conditions in third world countries limit people from accessing ruining water,
electricity, and other necessary life essentials. Immigrants risk the harsh traveling conditions to
reach countries where they will access and enjoy the essentials. According to Bruno and Helga,
immigrants’ life satisfaction levels are always higher since life increases their happiness. Their
expectations of getting better economic, employment, and income generation conditions are
fulfilled (Bruno and Helga). However, the levels of satisfaction differ between the integrated and
non-integrated societies of the host countries. Immigrants feel welcome in countries where they
are more accepted in societies. Comparing to the economic and social life that the immigrants had
in their home countries, they find it favorable to live in developed countries. For example, living
in third world countries makes exposes them to social and economic inequality. Hence, having a
