The International Organization for Migration (IOM) released its twelfth edition of the world migration report titled World Migration Report 2024 on May 8, 2024. The IOM has been publishing and releasing this report every two years since 2000. The report was formally released in Bangladesh, which stands at the forefront of migration challenges, including emigration, immigration, and displacement. This report helps in better understanding the issue of migration throughout the world. This flagship report has been produced in line with IOM’s Environment Policy. This report provides essential data and insights on migration.
This report uses innovative digital tools and analysis. It dispels myths and misconceptions about migration.
This report aims to harness existing data, research, and analysis to shed light on critical global migration issues, including the effects of COVID-19 on migration and mobility. While the complexities of global migration could never be fully captured or controlled, this report seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of these dynamics and their far-reaching implications. Its goal is to inspire meaningful action to effectively address the challenges and opportunities of migration.
Key Findings of the Report
Throughout human history, migration has been a natural and complex phenomenon, yet it is often misrepresented by sensationalised stories. In reality, most migration has been characterised by regular, safe, and regional movements, driven by the pursuit of opportunities and livelihoods. However, public perception has been distorted by misinformation and politicisation, creating a need for a balanced and accurate understanding of migration dynamics to dispel misconceptions and promote informed discourse.
Population of migrants According to the 2024 Report, the proportion of international migrants in the global population has risen significantly over the past five decades. In 1970, migrants accounted for 2.3 per cent (84 million) of the world’s population, whereas by the mid-2020s, this number had increased to 3.6 per cent (281 million: 146 m males and 135m females), representing a substantial growth in the migrants’ population worldwide.
International remittances Despite predictions of a decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international remittances showed remarkable resilience and growth, increasing by over 650 per cent from US$ 128 billion in 2000 to US$ 831 billion in 2022. Out of US$ 831 billion, US$ 647 billion of international remittances was received by low-and middle-income countries. This trend underscored the significant contribution of international migration to human development and economic growth, as migrants continue to support their families and communities back home through remittances.
The Southern Asia has been a major recipient of global remittances, driven by the large number of migrant workers from the region. Specifically, three countries in the region—India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—are among the top ten countries worldwide in terms of receiving international remittances, underscoring the significant contribution of remittances to their economies.
Impacts of migration The report sheds light on two critical aspects of international migration: its positive impact on human development and the persistent challenges that come with it. On the one hand, international migration continues to drive progress, with 281 million migrants worldwide. On the other hand, in 2022, a record-high 117 million people were forcibly displaced in the world including 71.2 million internally displaced, 35.3 million refugees, 5.4 million asylum seekers, and 5.2 million others in need of international protection, due to conflict, violence, disasters, and other factors, emphasising the need for immediate action to address these displacement crises and support affected individuals. In 2019, there were about 169 million workers, globally. In 2023, about 8,500 migrants were reported to have died or gone missing.
Influx of migrants Between 2010 and 2021, 40 countries or regions experienced a significant influx of migrants, with over 2,00,000 arrivals each. Notably, 17 of these countries saw an influx of over one million people during this period. For countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, the primary driver of this immigration surge was the refugee crisis, particularly the influx of Syrians fleeing their homeland.
Long-term data shows that global mobility inequality has deepened over the last 25 years, making the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) an urgent priority. Displacement caused by conflict and violence continues to rise, with insufficient solutions for refugees and a growing number of internally displaced persons. The United Nations Action Agenda on internal displacement provides a critical platform for addressing this complex issue.
Forced displacement The world has been currently facing an unprecedented crisis of forced displacement, with more people being uprooted than ever before in human history. This trend has further been accelerated by the devastating effects of environmental degradation and climate change. Projections suggest that by 2050, over 216 million people across six continents would be internally displaced due to climate-related factors, highlighting the urgent need for action to address this growing humanitarian concern.
Other factors While climate change has been a significant contributor to food insecurity and migration, it is not the only factor. Other critical elements, such as political instability, poor governance, global food production systems, and social dynamics also play a role. Climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities, putting additional pressure on communities and systems, thereby, compounding the effects of these other factors.
More migration from developed countries Data shows that between 1995 and 2020, international migration from low and medium HDI (Human Development Index) countries increased only slightly, while migration from high and very high HDI countries increased significantly. This suggests a ‘polarising’ effect, where migration is becoming more associated with highly developed countries. Visa access and migration policies have created systemic barriers for people from low-income countries, limiting their ability to realise opportunities through international migration. This has implications for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the intergovernmentally negotiated agreement, known as the GCM, particularly in the context of restrictive migration policies and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Security of migrants The world has been experiencing rapid change in geopolitics, environment, and technology, leading to uncertainty and insecurity. There should be protection of migrants’ rights and security. Despite some linking migration to national security threats, the real concern is the vulnerability of migrants throughout their journey. Migration could positively impact lives; however, authorities must develop policies to ensure human security, supported by non-state actors like civil society and researchers. Global frameworks like the SDGs and GCM prioritise human security, requiring collaboration across sectors to address insecurity needs beyond humanitarian settings.
Gender inequality There is a complex relationship between migration and gender, the report highlights the importance of a rights-based approach to promote gender equality. It recognises the disproportionate discrimination faced by women and diverse gender identities throughout the migration cycle. Migrants’ experiences are shaped by gender norms and intersectional factors like age and migration policies. Addressing gender inequalities in migration is crucial to empower migrants and promote broader gender equality, emphasising the need for a gender-responsive approach to migration governance.
Restricted mobility Human migration and mobility have partially rebounded since the COVID-19 pandemic; however, they still remain below the pre-pandemic levels. The pandemic has led to a more complex and restrictive migration policy landscape, with new risk profiles for different categories of movers. International air travel and community mobility have not fully recovered, especially in higher-income countries. However, remittances from migrant workers have remained resilient and even rebounded quickly.
Report’s Findings on India
India has consistently been the top recipient of remittances, globally. India received over US$ 111 billion in remittances in 2022, becoming the first country to cross the US$ 100 billion mark. India has been the top country receiving remittances in 2022, followed by Mexico, China, the Philippines, and France. There has been consistent growth in remittances over the past decade, with significant increases in 2010, 2015, and 2020. Remittances play a crucial role in India’s economy. The pandemic severely impacted Indian emigrant workers, particularly low-skilled emigrants on short-term contracts, migrants working within the informal economy, and undocumented workers.
India is further the country of origin for the largest number of international migrants, with a significant diaspora community residing in countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States (US), and Saudi Arabia.
India is not only the largest recipient of remittances but also a significant destination for immigrants, ranking 13th globally with 4.48 million immigrants. This highlights India’s involvement in several major international migration corridors, including key routes from the UAE, the US, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh, underscoring the country’s importance in global migration patterns.
According to the report, climate plays a significant role in internal migration patterns, with residents of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh often relocating to other areas. The remittances sent back by these migrants are primarily used for essential expenses, including food. However, the report further notes that migration has led to changes in social structures, exacerbating traditional gender roles and ultimately worsening food security outcomes for households headed by women.
Conclusion
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of global migration and remittances, highlighting both opportunities and challenges associated with this complex phenomena. As migration continues to shape the world, the report serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to work together towards a world where migration is a choice, not a necessity; and where the benefits of migration are shared by all.
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