What is meant by migration balance?

Migration balance refers to the difference between the number of immigrants entering a region and the number of emigrants leaving that region over a specific period. This concept is critical in understanding how migration patterns affect population dynamics within a country or area. A positive migration balance occurs when the number of immigrants exceeds the number of emigrants, leading to population growth due to migration. Conversely, a negative migration balance indicates that more people are leaving than arriving, which can lead to population decline or a decrease in certain demographic groups.

Other options do not accurately capture the essence of migration balance. For instance, the ratio of expatriates to citizens pertains to the status of individuals within a country, rather than the net movement of populations. Additionally, the total number of guest workers in a country focuses on specific employment-related migration without considering the flow of emigrants. Lastly, the net gain of natural population growth relates to the birth and death rates and does not involve migration metrics. Overall, defining migration balance as the difference between immigrants and emigrants provides a comprehensive understanding of population changes due to migration.