International migration

Estimates of net migration between the major development groups show that since 1960 the more developed regions have been net gainers of emigrants from the less developed regions (table IV.1). Furthermore, net migration to the more developed regions has been increasing steadily from 1960 to 2010. During 2000-2010, the more developed regions were gaining annually 3.4 million migrants. About 39% of that net flow was directed to Northern America (1.33 million annually). During 2000-2010, the level of net migration to the more developed regions as a whole changes moderately, reaching a peak of 3.4 million migrants annually. Over the rest of the projection period, net migration to the more developed regions is projected to decline smoothly to about 1.9 million per year during 2040-2050, of which 1.1 million are directed to Northern America.

Related Subject(s): Economic and Social Development