Migration

Since 2000, IOM has been producing world migration reports. The World Migration Report 2020, the tenth in the world migration report series, has been produced to contribute to increased understanding of migration throughout the world. This new edition presents key data and information on migration as well as thematic chapters on highly topical migration issues, and is structured to focus on two key contributions for readers: Part I: key information on migration and migrants (including migration-related statistics); and Part II: balanced, evidence-based analysis of complex and emerging migration issues.

The task of formulating workable approaches to the management of international migration remains a formidable challenge for the community, one that will require both time and effort over the coming years. In what terms are we to develop comprehensive migration management strategies that will help us achieve coherence of action? What organizing principles should be adopted? Is there, in conceptual terms, a point of leverage to move the debate forward? Part of the problem lies in the difficulty of coming to a consensus about the fundamental nature of migration and its outcomes. Underlying the current and welcome inclination to acknowledge the potentially beneficial outcomes of migratory phenomena are many questions that are yet to be fully resolved. In the midst of that uncertainty there are suggestions worth exploring that contemporary migration – as opposed to whatever its historical antecedents may have been – is uniquely related to and defined by those processes of economic and social integration collectively known as globalization. The argument is that, whether by design or not, these developments are largely responsible for the creation of an unprecedented context in which human mobility seeks to find expression on a genuinely global scale. The World Migration Report 2008 tackles this issue directly and seeks to identify policy options that might contribute to the development of broad and coherent strategies to better match demand for migrant workers with supply in safe, humane and orderly ways. Part A of the Report explores the nature and magnitude of the need for such strategies through the observation and analysis of a wide range of contemporary migratory patterns linked to economic purposes while Part B discusses the contours of possible policy responses.

Since 2000, IOM has been producing world migration reports. The World Migration Report 2022, the eleventh in the world migration report series, has been produced to contribute to increased understanding of migration throughout the world. This new edition presents key data and information on migration as well as thematic chapters on highly topical migration issues, and is structured to focus on two key contributions for readers: Part I: key information on migration and migrants (including migration-related statistics); and Part II: balanced, evidence-based analysis of complex and emerging migration issues.

The 2019 edition of the World Population Policies report, a report published biennially since 2003, focuses on Government policies and programmes on international migration. It provides an overview of policies to govern regular migration and to address irregular migration, and reviews an array of policy measures related to migrants’ rights, including access to services, as well as policies to foster the integration of migrants into host societies. The report also examines Government measures to maximise the development impacts of migration and to support diasporas. The 2019 World Population Policies report presents the official Government responses to the module on international migration (module III) of the United Nations Twelfth Inquiry among Governments on Population and Development (the “Inquiry”). The Population Division has been implementing the Inquiry every five years since 1963 as part of its mandate to systematically monitor population policies at the international level.

The 2019 edition of the World Population Policies: Highlights provides a summary of a selected number of Government policies and programmes related to international migration. It provides an overview of policies to govern regular migration and to address irregular migration, and reviews an array of policy measures related to migrants’ rights, including access to services, as well as policies to foster the integration of migrants into host societies. The report also examines Government measures to maximise the development impacts of migration and to support diasporas. The 2019 World Population Policies: Highlights presents the official Government responses to the module on international migration (module III) of the United Nations Twelfth Inquiry among Governments on Population and Development (the “Inquiry”). The Population Division has been implementing the Inquiry every five years since 1963 as part of its mandate to systematically monitor population policies at the international level.

This report presents information on international migration levels and policies for major areas, regions and countries of the world. The data for the international migrant stock presented in this report are based on the database Trends in Total Migrant Stock: the 2005 Revision, which was issued by the Population Division in 2006. In order to maintain full consistency with the indicators contained in this database, the estimates on the total population, net migration and the projected population in 2050 in this report were derived from World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision. For many of the countries, information on international migration is sufficient to provide a reasonable basis for levels, trends and policies. For some countries, however, the information is very limited or unavailable, and in such cases, imputations were made.

Migration has major impacts on both the people and the places involved. When supported by appropriate policies, migration can contribute to inclusive and sustainable development in both origin and destination countries, while also benefiting migrants and their families. The International Migration 2019 analyses global and regional levels and trends in international migration, based on the latest estimates of international migrant stock, and investigates the contribution of migration to demographic change. The highlights also discusses international migration policies and provides an overview of normative and legal frameworks on international migration and refugees.

This report presents information on levels and trends in international migration for major areas, regions and countries of the world, and on the ratification status of migration-related legal instruments. The data for the international migrant stock described in chapter I are taken from the publication Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2015 Revision, while the estimates on the total population in chapter I are based on World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision, DVD Edition. The estimates on net migration and the projected population up to 2050 presented in chapter II are based on World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision, DVD Edition. Chapter III provides an analysis of the status of ratification (by Member States) of the migration-related legal instruments of the United Nations and the International Labour Organization (ILO), based on information from the United Nations Treaty Section (http://treaties.un.org) and the NORMLEX Information System on International Labour Standards (http://www.ilo.org).

Migration has major impacts on both the people and the places involved. When supported by appropriate policies, migration can contribute to inclusive and sustainable development in both origin and destination countries, while also benefiting migrants and their families. The International Migration 2019: Highlights analyses global and regional levels and trends in international migration, based on the latest estimates of international migrant stock, and investigates the contribution of migration to demographic change. The highlights also discusses international migration policies and provides an overview of normative and legal frameworks on international migration and refugees.

The International Migration Policies 2013 wall chart provides up-to-date information on Government views and policies on international migration issues, including immigration, emigration, naturalization, and integration of migrants, for 193 Member and 3 non-member States of the United Nations. The wall chart also provides specific measures adopted to increase investment by the diaspora. In addition, the wall chart includes information on estimates of migrant stocks, share of females among international migrants, net migration rates, and remittances.