outmigration

English

Alternative forms

• out-migration

Etymology

From out- +‎ migration.

Noun

outmigration (countable and uncountable, plural outmigrations)

1. Synonym of emigration.

   Antonyms: inmigration, immigration

   Hypernym: migration

   • 2008 April 22, Katharine Q. Seelye, “In Clinton vs. Obama, Age Is One of the Greatest Predictors”, in New York Times‎:

     The outmigration of young people has left the state with the second-highest proportion of people over 65 in the country, after Florida.

   • 2024 December 11, Robin Leleux, “Awards reward restored railway survivors”, in RAIL, number 1024, page 53:

     The rural north-west of Ireland is not favoured economically, with outmigration still a problem.

Usage notes

This synonym is sometimes used instead of emigration in an attempt to prevent hasty misunderstandings in which emigration and immigration might be confused by the listener or reader.

Related terms

• emigrate (verb)
• immigrate (verb)
• outmigrate (verb)