Migration

Migration has occurred throughout human history, but it has been increasing over the past decades, with changes in its size, direction and complexity both within and between countries. When properly managed, migration can contribute to the development of both places of origin and destination, as well as to the well-being of migrants and their families. In places of origin, migration can relieve the pressures associated with unemployment and underemployment and foster development through remittances and transfer of knowledge. Migration can also contribute to the economic growth in places of destination through alleviation of labour demands of the economy, transfer of skills and foreign innovation. Successful migration policies need to take such complexities and opportunities into consideration and carefully analyse the impact of migration flows on places of origin and destination, as well as on migrants themselves and their families, in order to maximize the contribution of this phenomenon to human development (United Nations, 2013e).

Related Subject(s): Population and Demography