Migration

This report presents information on international migration levels, trends and legal instruments for major areas, regions and countries of the world. The data for the international migrant stock are taken from the publication Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2008 Revision. The estimates on the total population, net migration and the projected population up to 2050 are based on World Population Prospects: The 2008 Revision. For the first time, data on international migration flows for a selected group of countries are included in the analysis. The data come from the dataset International Migration Flows to and from Selected Countries: The 2008 Revision. The analysis of the ratification status of migration-related legal instruments for Member States of the United Nations and the International Labour Organization (ILO) is based on information from the United Nations Treaty Section which can be accessed at treaties.un.org.

This report presents information on levels and trends in international migration for regions, sub-regions and countries of the world, and on the ratification status of migration-related international instruments. It also contains a summary of the General Assembly’s high-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants, which took place on 19 September 2016.

This report presents information on international migration levels, trends and legal instruments for major areas, regions and countries of the world. The data for the international migrant stock described in chapter I and chapter II are taken from the publication Trends in International Migrant Stock: Migrants by Destination and Origin and Trends in International Migrant Stock: Migrants by Age and Sex, while the estimates on the total population in chapter I are based on World Population Prospects: The 2008 Revision, DVD Edition. The data on migration flows in chapter III are taken from the publication International Migration Flows to and from Selected Countries: The 2010 Revision. Chapter IV provides an analysis of the ratification status of migration-related legal instruments for Member States of the United Nations and the International Labour Organization (ILO), based on information from the United Nations Treaty Section and the NORMLEX Information System on International Labour Standards, which can be accessed at http://treaties.un.org and http://www.ilo.org, respectively.

This report presents the highlights of the International Migration which contains the latest quinquennial estimates of international migrant stock for 232 countries or areas of the world. The annex in these Highlights provides recently collected data on the estimated number of international migrants, the percentage of migrants in the total population, the percentage of female migrants, and the median age of migrants for 232 countries or areas of the world. The Population Division of the United nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs provides the international community with timely and accessible population data and analysis of population trends and development outcomes for all countries and areas of the world. To this end, the Division undertakes regular studies of population size and characteristics and of all three components of population change (fertility, mortality and migration). The work of the Division also contributes to strengthening the capacity of Member States to monitor population trends and to address current and emerging population issues.

This report presents the highlights of the International Migration Report 2015, which contains the latest quinquennial estimates of international migrant stock for 232 countries or areas from 2000 to 2015. The annex in these Highlights provides data for 2000 and 2015 on the estimated number of international migrants, the percentage of migrants in the total population, the percentage of female migrants, and the median age of migrants for 232 countries or areas of the world.

This report examines the links between inequality and other major global trends (or megatrends), with a focus on technological change, climate change, urbanization and international migration. The analysis pays particular attention to poverty and labour market trends, as they mediate the distributional impacts of the major trends selected. It also provides policy recommendations to manage these megatrends in an equitable manner and considers the policy implications, so as to reduce inequalities and support their implementation.

The LDC Waiver is a legal tool that enables WTO Members to sidestep their obligation to treat all services imports equally under the Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) clause through the granting preferential treatment to services and service exporters from a Least Developed Country (LDC). It is similar to the “Enabling Clause” for goods within the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), except that the Waiver only benefits LDCs, not all developing countries. It operates thus as an “LDC-only Enabling Clause for services”. The Waiver only enables preferences, it does not require WTO Members to grant them, nor provide them with specific ideas or tools to facilitate LDCs’ exports into their markets. This paper presents the findings of the pilot study on Cambodia. Focusing on a selection of services sectors of particular export interest to Cambodia, this case-study assesses, where appropriate on an anecdotal basis, whether and to what extent the preferences granted by WTO Members respond to the market access, regulatory and other barriers experienced by Cambodia’s services exporters in their export market(s). By converging all available sources of information, the analysis aims to identify the relevance of the notified preferences for Cambodia’s services exports, possible gaps and opportunities for further development of improved market access mechanisms, as well as its utilization by LDCS’ services exporters.

This publication includes the materials of the two-day workshop on “Enhancing the Role of Return Migration in Fostering Development” held in Geneva, Switzerland on 7 and 8 July 2008. The publication opens with an executive summary of lessons learned and effective approaches for policymakers on the subject of return migration based on two workshops which took place under the 2008 IDM “Return Migration: Challenges and Opportunities”. Part I contains the report of the workshop, based on the presentations and discussions. Part II includes the workshop agenda and background paper.

In 2010, the International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) was dedicated to addressing these challenges and identifying practical solutions with regard to migration and social change, integration and social cohesion in the context of ever-denser communication, transport, and information networks. This publication is a summary of lessons learnt and effective practices that emerged from the discussions among policymakers and practitioners at two intersessional workshops held as part of the IDM on the topics of “Migration and transnationalism: Opportunities and challenges” (9 and 10 March 2010) and “Societies and identities: The multifaceted impact of migration” (19 and 20 July 2010).

In 2017 the IDM was one of IOM’s contributions to the consultation phase of the preparatory process leading to the adoption of the global compact for safe orderly and regular migration, in response to the General Assembly’s invitation, in resolution 71/280 to use global processes mechanisms and processes, including the IDM, to contribute to the process. Two IDM global events were held on 18-19 April in New York and respectively on 18-19 July in Geneva, gathering over 700 relevant migration actors to share their experiences, best practices and recommendations for the elaboration of the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. The report is organized around five themes emerged from discussions and reflects the significant convergence of views that emerged during the two dialogues. The final section brings together key recommendations made during the workshops.

This year’s report focuses on the lives of migrant women. Every year millions of women working overseas send hundreds of millions of dollars in remittances back to their homes and communities. These funds go to feed and educate children, provide health care, build homes, foster small businesses and generally improve living standards for loved ones left behind. For host countries, the labour of migrant women is so embedded in the fabric of society that it goes virtually unnoticed. Migrant women toil in the households of working families, soothe the sick and comfort the elderly. They contribute their technical and professional expertise, pay taxes and quietly support a quality of life that many take for granted.

The report presents key facts and messages regarding international migration globally and by region during 2000-2020, based on the 2020 revision of the international migrant stock data set, which provides updated estimates of numbers of persons living outside their country of birth, classified by age, sex and origin, for 232 countries and areas. The report also reviews policies and programmes to promote planned and well-managed migration and provides an overview of SDG indicator 10.7.2 on the number of countries with migration policies to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, used for measuring progress toward the achievement of SDG target 10.7.

Esta publicación utiliza fuentes nacionales de datos sobre defunciones de los registros civiles y los sistemas de información en salud para analizar el impacto de la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19) en la mortalidad en los países de la región. Además, mediante un ejercicio de simulación basado en diferentes escenarios de tasas de prevalencia de COVID-19, estima el impacto de las muertes relacionadas con COVID-19 en la esperanza de vida al nacer para los 38 países y territorios de América Latina y el Caribe. La información utilizada para la elaboración de esta edición del Observatorio Demográfico corresponde a la información oficial sobre defunciones y causas de muerte disponible a 31 de octubre de 2020, así como a estimaciones y proyecciones de población elaboradas por Naciones Unidas.

As international migration grows, it is becoming increasingly important for the public and policymakers to understand migratory flows and the impact of migration on individuals, families, societies and economies. A longitudinal approach is particularly useful for such understanding, collecting information from the same individuals or households over time to reveal the geographic and socio-economic outcomes of the migration experience. To that end, this publication provides an overview of longitudinal data sources for migration statistics and their dissemination, alongside guidance on how to develop the relevant data set for these statistics using integrated data. Though this approach is complex and challenging, the Guidance also illustrates how apparent limitations can be addressed.

Le Rapport sur la Migrations en Afrique adopte une approche distinctement régionale pour informer les connaissances sur la migration en Afrique. Cette première édition, intitulée Remettre en Question Le Récit, vise à déconstruire les perceptions négatives de la migration en Afrique en abordant les réalités contextuelles et en mettant en lumière des interventions pratiques et des connaissances factuelles sur ce qui se passe sur le terrain.

Since 2000, IOM has been producing its flagship world migration reports every two years. The World Migration Report 2024, the twelfth in the world migration report series, has been produced to contribute to increased understanding of migration and mobility throughout the world. The last two years saw major migration and displacement events that have caused great hardship and trauma, as well as loss of life. In addition to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, millions of people have been displaced due to other conflicts, such as within and/or from the Syrian Arab Republic, Yemen, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar. There have also been large scale displacements triggered by climate- and weather-related disasters in many parts of the world in 2022 and 2023, including in Pakistan, the Philippines, China, India, Bangladesh, Brazil and Colombia. Further, in February 2023, south-east Türkiye and northern Syrian Arab Republic experienced powerful earthquakes, resulting in more than 50,000 deaths. By March, an estimated 2.7 million people had been displaced in Türkiye and many had been left homeless in the Syrian Arab Republic. 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 includes key information on migration and migrants (including migration-related statistics); and part II includes balanced, evidence-based analysis of complex and emerging migration issues.

La segunda edición del Diálogo Internacional sobre la Migración (IDM) en 2022 se celebró los días 24 y 25 de octubre sobre el tema Confluencia de crisis mundiales: los efectos de la inseguridad alimentaria y el cambio climático sobre la migración y los desplazamientos. La sesión fue un momento oportuno antes de la 27ª Conferencia de las Partes de la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (COP27) y se basó en los exitosos resultados del Foro de Examen de la Migración Internacional (FEMI) para abordar las complejas interrelaciones entre el cambio climático, la seguridad alimentaria y la movilidad humana. La sesión fomentó el diálogo entre los Estados miembros y otros actores para desarrollar y aplicar planes de preparación y respuesta, políticas y programas para hacer frente a las crisis mundiales relacionadas con el cambio climático y la seguridad alimentaria. Esta publicación presenta un informe de la sesión de dos días y ofrece al lector una recopilación de datos relevantes, mejores prácticas, enfoques innovadores y recomendaciones pertinentes para el debate sobre seguridad alimentaria, cambio climático y movilidad, compartidos en la reunión por expertos en migración, gobiernos y otros profesionales.

This issue of the Forum focuses on smuggling of migrants. It contains articles by a range of researchers and academics with experience in the subject. Forum on Crime and Society presents policy-oriented articles on issues related to crime prevention and criminal justice, focusing on trends and practices in the field of criminal justice that are of special significance to the international community.

The publication discusses the ways in which big data and other new data sources (that is, different from conventional sources like sample surveys, population censuses and administrative data) can be used for measuring international migration and cross-border mobility. The publication presents national experiences with big data and new data sources collected through two surveys among national statistical offices. The publication concludes that national statistical offices have limited experiences in the use of new data sources for migration statistics. However, the potential of new data sources to address emerging migration issues and urgent data needs is promising. Sharing and updating of relevant information and tools will facilitate the use of big data and new data sources for measuring migration and cross-border mobility. The publication was prepared by a task force established by the Conference of European Statisticians.

Food security, water security, environmental security and livelihood security are all affected by climate change and can influence mobility patterns. In 2022, we have witnessed the combined impacts of climate change and food insecurity, and the proliferation of acute situations across the world, leading to disruption in food supply chain and rising prices of grain, fertilizer and energy. This has resulted in compounded risks for communities already under severe stress, especially in low-income countries, and lead to protracted displacement and increased humanitarian needs. These situations call for longer-term development, adaptation and disaster risk reduction policies to avert and minimize displacement, strengthen the resilience of migrants and communities and promote sustainable societies and livelihoods.

Authored by Kerilyn Schewel, this publication in the IOM Migration Research Series explores the aspirations, opportunities and constraints young women navigate as they transition into adulthood, and the rationale behind a decision to migrate as a domestic worker. Based on an in-depth study of the migration decision-making of young women in one rural district of Oromia, Ethiopia, it shows how migration to the Middle East is one way to avoid an early marriage and to access capital otherwise unavailable to low-skilled women in Ethiopia. It then evaluates work opportunities at one Dutch-owned flower farm in the same district, and shows why these jobs will not necessarily act as a substitute to international migration.

In the face of the world’s unprecedented pace of change, the necessity for foresight in governance and multilateral cooperation has never been more acute. Recognizing this, IOM engaged School of International Futures, a global nonprofit organization, to draw upon its “three horizons” methodology and work with some of the leading migration practitioners and scholars in the world to “re-imagine migration and mobility”. Through a collaborative approach, involving a wide array of external partners and stakeholders, this project leverages IOM’s global convening power to foster strategic foresight on migration and mobility. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Secretary-General’s vision outlined in the United Nations Common Agenda and is one modest component of IOM’s contribution towards the United Nations Summit of the Future in September 2024. This publication offers the chance for reflection on migration and mobility in a highly competitive and contested world towards a more constructive and evidence-based narrative on migration that underpins informed decision-making going forward.

This report is on a mapping exercise that took place in the USA from November 2021 to March 2022. The study aimed to gain insights into the socioeconomic profile, professional skills and expertise of this population and assess their capacity, level of interest and motivation to participate and engage in development-related activities in Rwanda. Key informants and opinion leaders (including former community leaders and other, independent leaders), as well as ordinary diasporans, through their participation in focus group discussions, provided invaluable insights. These respondents represent the complex and diverse socioeconomic profiles and experiences of the Rwandan diaspora in the United States. The report proposes a list of recommendations on ways to match or align Government-led projects and initiatives with skills available in the Rwandan diaspora in the United States and enhance the substantial engagement already in place: (a) developing creative strategies to recruit diaspora talent; (b) devising incentive schemes to attract talent; (c) promoting short-term engagements to individuals already employed in the diaspora; (d) leveraging video conferencing technologies for synchronous e-learning and e-mentoring (strategies already mentioned in previous Rwandan diaspora mapping reports); and (e) establishing sustained and adequate communication strategies to reach the Rwandan diaspora in the United States.

La OIM lleva publicando este tipo de informes desde el año 2000. El Informe sobre las Migraciones en el Mundo 2022, es el undécimo de la serie y fue producido con el objetivo de fomentar una mayor comprensión de la migración y la movilidad en todo el mundo. Esta nueva edición presenta datos e información fundamentales sobre la migración, y capítulos temáticos sobre cuestiones de migración de interés actual. Su estructura ha sido adaptada para centrar su atención en dos contribuciones fundamentales para los lectores: La parte I contiene información fundamental sobre la migración y los migrantes (incluyendo estadísticas sobre migración); y La parte II proporciona un análisis equilibrado y empírico sobre cuestiones complejas y emergentes relativas a la migración.