The article examines international migration trends in recent decades and emphasises the distinctive features of migration processes in the Latin American subcontinent over the past 50 years. It examines the main characteristics of intraregional movements, together with the underlying trends and the nature of increasing emigration flows to the United States-the major phenomenon marking the second half of the twentieth century. Finally, a link is sought between demographic and economic growth and the development of international migration, with a look at the effects of political violence and the role of the United States in the region as prime causes of migration.

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international migration migration determinant South America Central America economic growth political violence Caribbean Islands