In migration, what are "push factors"?

Push factors are conditions or reasons that drive individuals or groups away from their current location, prompting them to migrate elsewhere. These could include economic hardships, such as lack of job opportunities or poverty, as well as social issues like persecution, conflict, or environmental disasters. Such negative circumstances compel people to leave their homes in search of safety, better living conditions, or improved economic prospects elsewhere.

By contrast, the other options refer to different aspects of migration. Attractions that draw people to a new area are known as pull factors. Government policies can influence migration patterns but do not specifically define push factors. Cultural attractions pertain more to the appeal of a destination rather than the reasons for leaving one's original home. Thus, understanding push factors is critical in analyzing migration trends and the motivations behind them.