CONTENT PAGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
Acknowledgement
2
Aim

Location of Study

Methodology

Presentation of data
6
Analysis

10

Conclusion
12
Appendix
13
Bibliography

16

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who
has contributed to this project. First and foremost, I would
like to thank the almighty God for providing me with the
knowledge and the ability to complete this project.
Secondly, I would like to extend my appreciation to my
Geography teacher, Miss K. Collins for guiding me
through the outline of this project and my partner
Kayanna Calvert for working with me to complete the
project. Also, I express my appreciation to my fellow
colleague, Andre Walker, who has helped me to organize
this project. Last but not least I express my gratitude to
my family who provided the necessary resources in order
for me to carry out this research. Thank you.

PURPOSE/ AIM OF STUDY

TOPIC: Migration
TITLE: What are the factors that influence migration into
the Linstead area?
AIM: To identify the push and pull factors that influence
people to migrate into the Linstead area.

LOCATION OF STUDY
Linstead is a small town in the parish of St. Catherine,
Jamaica, West Indies. Linstead became famous by its
bustling weekly market. Linstead is a small inland town
also a major commercial centre for central Jamaicans
since the 19th century. Far farmers from the fertile hills
and adjacent plains journey there to sell a wide variety of
produce. Thus, the town of Linstead was developed
around a market.

METHODOLOGY
The information for this project was collected by handing
out questionnaires, acquiring information from textbooks
and by interviewing family members and friends. Also,
the library facility was visited by the researcher. On
August 31, 2014, a total of 20 questionnaires were given
out. The questions in the questionnaire were formulated
in a careful manner. The questions ranged from general
information like age, local origin, time of migration etc.,
to specific information of the household like migration
reasons, objectives, occupation etc. The questionnaires
were collected on September 8, 2014. The researcher
visited the Linstead Library and the Statistical Institute of
Jamaica (STATIN) Linstead office on September 9, 2014 to
collect maps of the location of study. The information was
carried out within the Linstead area and also at the
Dinthill Technical High School.

PRESENTATION OF DATA
FIGURE.1
CHART SHOWING PUSH FACTORSAND THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO CHOSE EACH
7
6
5
4
3

NUMBER OF RESPONDS

2
1
0

PUSH FACTORS

FIGURE.2
DIAGRAM SHOWING PULL FACTORS AND THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO CHOSE EACH
8
7
6
5
4

NUMBER OF RESPONDS

3
2
1
0

PULL FACTORS

FIGURE.3
CHART SHOWING NUMBER OF EACH GENDER WHO RETURNED QUESTINNAIRE
10
9
8
7
6

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

5
4
3
2
1
0

Female

Male

GENDER
FIGURE.4

CHART SHOWING NUMBER OF YEARS PARTICIPANTS HAVE RESIDED IN LINSTEAD

7
6
5
4
3

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

2
1
0

NUMBER OF YEARS
FIGURE.5

PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED IN LINSTEAD BY MIGRANTS

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS WHO FACES PROBLEMS

PROBLEMS FACED

FIGURE.6
9

12
10
8
6
4
2

Number of Participants

Population Size of Linstead

ANALYSIS
A survey was done in the area of Linstead, St.
Catherine Jamaica to establish trends resulting in the
factors that have influenced migration within this
area.
According to the, migration is the movement of
people from one place to another for the purpose of
taking up residence, usually across a political
boundary. There are push and pull factors which
influence migration. Push factors are those which
influence people to leave an area. According to
Figure.1 in the presentation of data the principal
factor that encourages people to migrate from their
community to Linstead is Unemployment. Same
number of participants chose natural disaster and
poor infrastructures, these push factors were the
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least. The second highest push factor was crime. Pull

factors are those which influence people to enter an
area. Figure.2 clearly shows that the greatest factor
that encourages people to migrate to Linstead is
more job opportunities. Linstead is gradually
developing into an urbanized area in which
employment opportunities are available in
abundance. Persons who have migrated are mainly
within the age groups of 19-30 and 31-40 years.
According to Figure.3, it is distinctly shown that the
female gender is dominant for migrating from their
community into the Linstead area. Reason being,
females tend to have a mental setting of seeking
better when they are in a bad condition.
Some persons tend to migrate permanently or
temporarily. Participants were asked how many years
have the lived in Linstead. Figure.4 shows that 37.5%
of the participants who have migrated to Linstead
has lived there for 7-9 years. This range of years was
the highest chosen by the participants. This clearly
shows that these participants resided permanently.
Since Linstead is slowly developing in an urban area,
the number of persons migrating into Linstead is
gradually increasing over the years. Hence, this can
result in increasing problems within the area.
According to Figure.5 the most popular problem
faced in the Linstead area is Rise of Unemployment.
Too many persons are seeking employment which is
the main reason why they move to this area, the job
opportunities decrease thus leading to rise of
unemployment. One solution to solve this dilemma is
that the government can implement plans in order to
11

create facilities providing unemployed persons with

jobs.
Since people are migrating into Linstead so often, it
can lead to over population of the area. Some
solutions to reduce the number of people migrating
into Linstead are, letting the government provide
better infrastructures, provide job opportunities,
setting up neighbour watches to reduce crime rate
within the previous area and also by letting residents
take care of what has been given to them.
Figure.6 clearly shows that the participants think that
Linstead is at its optimum population size. Hence, if
migration continues to occur Linstead will become
over populated.

CONCLUSION
It has been proven that people migrate to Linstead
for a better living. Some people migrate because of
crime, poor infrastructures and most of all
unemployment in their previous area where they
resided. They chose Linstead as their migrating area
because more job opportunities were present, less
12

crime and better infrastructures. However, if

migration continues Linstead ca become over
populated and can cause problems. To avoid such
disaster the government can help to reduce the
number of people migrating by producing job
opportunities and residents can help to reduce crime
and take care of their infrastructures.

13

APPENDIX
LETTER/MESSAGE TO PARICIPANTS
Dear Participants,
The aim of this survey is to identify the
migration factors into the Linstead areas. Furthermore,
the researcher will make an inference based on the
factors that have influenced migration in the area. Thus,
it is of utmost importance that you (the participant)
answer each question honestly. Anonymity will be,
maintained, therefore you do not need to disclose
personal information.
Moreover, this survey will indirectly
contribute to the success of the researchers CSEC exam
Grades. This is so, because the survey will aid in a
completion of a Geographical School Based Assessment
(SBA) which will make up a portion of the researchers
CSEC grade. Thank you for your Cooperation.

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SAMPLE OF QUESTIONNAIRE
PLEASE PUT A TICK WHERE NECESSARRY.
1. What gender are you?
Male
Female
2. To which age group do you belong?
Below 18 years
19-30 years
31-40 years
41-50 years
51 and above
3. How long have you lived in Linstead?
1-3 years
4-6 years
7-9 years
Over 10 years
4. What factors influenced you to migrate from your community
to Linstead?
Crime
Unemployment
Poor Infrastructures
All of the above
Any other, please state.

5. Why did you choose Linstead as your migrating destination?

Less Crime
Has more Job opportunities
Better Infrastructures
All of the above
Any other, please state. m

6. Please state the parish along with the nearest town from
which you migrated.

15

7. What are some of the problems you experience in Linstead?

Rise of Unemployment
Limited Resources
Increase Rate of Crime/Violence
Environmental
Problems
8. What are some possible solutions to reduce the number of
people migrating into Linstead?

9. What is your opinion?

Linstead is:
Over Populated
Under Populated
Level

At its Minimum Population

Any other, please state.

10.

Did you meet your specific needs for migration?

Yes
No

16

Bibliography
Gentles, Marolyn and Jeanette Ottley, Longman
Geography for CSEC, Person Education Limited 2006.
Longman Caribbean School Atlas,
http://www.google.com.jm/search?
q=tpic+ofmapof+st.catherine+jamaica&newwind
Retrieved on: September 4, 2014
http://ww.visistjamaica.com/linstead
Retrieved on: September 4, 2014

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