Emigration

Emigration is the act of permanently leaving one's country or region to settle in another. It is the same as immigration but from the perspective of the country of origin. Human movement in general is termed migration. There are many reasons why people might choose to emigrate. Better economic opportunity is a "pull" factor, as is a quest for a better climate. Fears of poverty or of religious or political discrimination are "push" factors.

Emigration had a profound influence on the world in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, when millions of people left Europe; they usually headed to the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia.

The term "emigrate" usually suggests voluntary movement. However Involuntary migration refers to groups that are forced by their enemies to leave through population transfer or ethnic cleansing.