Nearly one billion people travel internationally each year. Some travel for business, others for pleasure, but many uproot and leave their homes to find a better life. Migration patterns impact the globe and help to change the countries people emigrate from and arrive to,
The International Organization For Migration joined the United Nations System in 2006 and has produced a bi-annual flagship report every two years. The World Migration Report 2022 is the eleventh in the world migration report series and filled with data, insight and analysis of international migration trends. it served as the basis for this article.
The number of international migrants has been steadily increasing over the past five decades. In 2020, there were an estimated 281 million international migrants worldwide, which equates to 3.6% of the global population. This is 128 million more than the number of international migrants in 1990 and over three times the number in 1970.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to this increase in international migration. These include economic factors, such as the search for better job opportunities, political factors, such as the need to escape conflict or persecution, and social factors, such as the desire to be reunited with family members.
The increase in international migration has had a significant impact on both the sending and receiving countries. For sending countries, international migration can provide a source of remittances, which can help to boost the economy. For receiving countries, international migration can help to fill labor shortages and contribute to cultural diversity.
However, there are also some challenges associated with international migration. These include the potential for social tensions, the challenge of integrating migrants into new societies, and the risk of exploitation of migrant workers.
Overall, the increase in international migration is a complex phenomenon with both positive and negative consequences. It is important to carefully consider the benefits and challenges of international migration in order to develop policies that promote the welfare of both migrants and host communities.
What Regions Attract The Most Immigrants
In 2020, Europe and Asia hosted the most international migrants, with 87 million and 86 million respectively. This represents 61% of the global international migrant stock.
North America was the third-largest host region, with 59 million international migrants. Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania followed, with 45 million, 25 million, and 9 million international migrants respectively.
When compared with the size of the population in each region, Oceania, North America and Europe had the highest shares of international migrants. In these regions, international migrants represented 22%, 16% and 12% of the total population respectively.
In contrast, the share of international migrants in Asia and Africa is relatively small. In these regions, international migrants represented 1.8% and 1.9% of the total population respectively.
Asia experienced the most remarkable growth in international migration from 2000 to 2020. The number of international migrants in Asia increased by 74%, or 37 million people in absolute terms.
Europe experienced the second-largest growth in international migration during this period. The number of international migrants in Europe increased by 30 million, followed by an increase of 18 million in North America and 10 million in Africa.
The global number of international migrants is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. This is due to a number of factors, including economic and political instability in some regions, and the increasing demand for skilled labor in other regions.
The Importance Of Internal Migration
The vast majority of people do not migrate across borders. In fact, there are an estimated 740 million internal migrants in the world, which is much larger than the number of international migrants. However, the number of international migrants has been increasing over time, both numerically and proportionally.
The proportion of international migrants in the world’s population is currently 3.6%. This is a small proportion, but it represents a significant increase from previous decades. For example, in 1970, the proportion of international migrants in the world’s population was only 2.3%.
The increase in international migration is not uniform across all countries. In some countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, over 88% of the population are international migrants. In other countries, such as Japan, the proportion of international migrants is much lower.
The reasons for international migration vary from person to person. Some people migrate for economic reasons, while others migrate for political or social reasons. Some people migrate to be reunited with family members, while others migrate to seek a better life.
The increase in international migration has a number of implications for both sending and receiving countries. For sending countries, international migration can provide a source of remittances, which can help to boost the economy. For receiving countries, international migration can help to fill labor shortages and contribute to cultural diversity.
However, there are also some challenges associated with international migration. These include the potential for social tensions, the challenge of integrating migrants into new societies, and the risk of exploitation of migrant workers.
Final Thoughts
It is important to carefully consider the benefits and challenges of international migration in order to develop policies that promote the welfare of both migrants and host communities. This includes ensuring that migrants have access to education, healthcare, and other essential services, and that they are protected from exploitation. It also includes providing support to receiving countries to help them manage the challenges of integration.
International migration is a global issue that requires a global response. By working together, we can ensure that international migration is a force for good, and that it benefits all of us.
