What does migration refer to in demographic terms?

Migration in demographic terms refers to the relocation of people from one place to another. This encompasses various forms of movement, including international migration (moving between countries) and internal migration (moving within a country). The primary focus is on the movement itself and the factors that drive people to leave their current residence and settle in a new location, which can include economic opportunities, environmental factors, social conditions, or conflicts.

While the influx of people into a region is related to migration, it specifically refers to the act of people entering an area rather than the broader definition of migration, which includes both moving away from and moving to different locations. Population aging and changes in fertility rates are demographic processes related to the characteristics and dynamics of populations, but they do not pertain directly to the movement of people, which is the core aspect of migration.