The paradox role of migration in the population development. the case of Hungary.

Pál Péter Tóth, Hungarian Central Statistical Office

The role of migration in the population development is positive in the receiving communities and negative in the sending ones. Besides direct effects, indirect consequences have to be taken also into consideration. The most important indirect effect relates to migrants’ fertility, since they decrease or increase their former and new communities’ number of population also with their descendants. The role and effects of inner and international migration are very different. While in case of internal migration the migrant does not directly decrease the total number of inhabitants of a country, migration crossing the country borders affects also this, and generates directly or indirectly other demographical changes. In contrast with the above presented general points our presentation will showcase, based on the example of Hungary, how international migration might influence negatively the population development even if the migration rate is positive.