What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
emigration
Example
My grandparents decided to emigrate from Italy to the United States. [emigrate: verb]
Example
The government's policies led to a wave of emigration from the country. [emigration: noun]
migration
Example
The wildebeest migration is a spectacular sight to behold. [migration: noun]
Example
Many people migrate from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities. [migrate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Migration is a more commonly used term than emigration and is employed in a wider range of contexts, including animal behavior and human movement within a country.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between emigration and migration?
Both emigration and migration are formal terms and are appropriate for use in academic or professional contexts.
