The European refugee crisis has reignited discussions about where people choose to migrate. The degree to which immigrants choose a host nation based on job possibilities, social safety, and openness is a specific source of worry. The degree of resemblance between immigrants' mother tongues and the languages used in their destination countries is another factor demonstrated in this column. When immigrants move to English-speaking nations, this preference for "linguistic closeness" becomes less important.

From the middle of the 1980s, migration to industrialized nations has grown, and with it, new migrants' origins have become more diverse. Due to this, linguistic and cultural barriers are expected to affect migration decisions more and more. As people opt to move to more culturally similar nations, language limitations may create obstacles that prevent the full realization of the potential economic benefits of international mobility.

A vast body of research demonstrates that the key to successfully transferring existing human capital to the labor markets of the destination nations is proficiency in the destination language and the capacity to learn it fast. Online language tutors, like those found at https://livexp.com/, frequently assist immigrants in learning the language of a new nation. Online language programs are incredibly convenient for immigrants who have to commute to school and are anxious about their new government. It is also feasible to select a teacher from the immigrant's country of origin, which promotes the development of a strong rapport between the instructor and the pupil.

Migration and the Impact of linguistic distance

Countries with more similar languages have higher rates of migration. Even after accounting for differences in other socioeconomic conditions between origin and destination nations, migration flows to a country with the same first official language as that in the origin country are about 20% higher than those to a destination with the most foreign language.

Widely used languages as a further draw for migration

Only a select few languages are extensively spoken everywhere. English is unquestionably the most commonly used of all. An immigration draw factor alone can be a destination language that is widely spoken.

Language hotspots

We find that migrants are significantly drawn to places where there are already sizable communities (likely linguistic enclaves) of people who share their linguistic background, where there is probably less pressure to pick up the local tongue right away, and where they can find both psychological support and helpful information.

Such languages or cultural hotspots, like Little Italy or Chinatown, could be a mixed blessing for immigrants as they might hinder their (and, most importantly, their children's) socioeconomic adjustment to their new home.

Requirements of immigration law depend on language

Immigration laws that influence the choice of immigrants between different destinations are also likely a mediating factor in the importance of linguistic proximity in influencing the direction and strength of migration flows. For instance, the immigration laws of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand strongly focus on applicants' talents when they apply for permanent residence visas, providing points for educational achievement, age at migration, and proficiency in the English language (and French in Canada).

Few people migrate to nations with more demanding linguistic requirements. The linguistic proximity between the origin and destination, however, still counts even when these factors are considered.