Migration continues to be part of the solution for many economies, societies and families around the world

Despite the toxicity of some political narratives that rely on hate and division, migration has long served many millions of people around the world well – whether in origin, in transit or in destination countries – providing opportunities and enriching their lives. However, barely a day goes by without multiple media reports – whether in traditional or newer forms of media – focusing on negative aspects of migration. While this may reflect the changing nature of migration in some parts of the world, it is important to recognize that media reporting continues to place greater emphasis on “bad” news.²¹ In addition, disinformation tactics are increasingly being used by nefarious actors with negative impacts on public, political and social media discourse on migration.²²  “Normalizing” the migration narrative is a critical factor in being able to realize the benefits of migration.

In the face of negatively skewed discussions, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that international migration remains relatively uncommon, with a mere 3.6 per cent (or 281 million) of the world being international migrants (see discussion in Chapter 2 of this report). The vast majority of people do not move across borders to live. We also know that most international migration is safe, orderly and regular.²³

Long-term research and analysis also tells us unequivocally that migration is a driver of human development and can generate significant benefits for migrants, their families and countries of origin. The wages that migrants earn abroad can be many multiples of what they could earn doing similar jobs at home. International remittances have grown from an estimated USD 128 billion in 2000 to USD 831 billion in 2022 and now far outstrip official development assistance to developing countries and foreign direct investment (see discussion of remittances in Chapter 2 of this report).

Migration can also provide an important skills boost, which can be critically important for destination countries experiencing population declines. In addition to enhancing national income and average living standards, immigration can have a positive effect on the labour market by increasing labour supply in sectors and occupations suffering from shortages of workers, as well as helping address mismatches in the job market. These positive labour market effects are not just evident in high-skilled sectors, but can also occur in lower-skilled occupations. Immigration increases both the supply of and the demand for labour, which means that labour immigration (including of lower-skilled workers) can generate additional employment opportunities for existing workers.

Research also shows that migrants provide a source of dynamism globally and are overrepresented in innovation and patents, arts and sciences awards, start-ups and successful companies. The immigration of young workers can also help with easing pressures on the pension systems of high-income countries with rapidly ageing populations. Immigration can also have adverse labour market effects (e.g. on wages and employment of nationals), but most of the research literature finds that these negative impacts tend to be quite small, at least on average.²⁴ 

Regular migration pathways boost public confidence in migration systems, while also protecting migrants. International migration and mobility occurring within regional and global economic, social, political and security environments increasingly reflect migration policy settings. Where, how, when and with whom people migrate often depends on the options available to them, with many of these options being determined or shaped by national-level policies as well as regional integration. Analysis of 25 years of international migrant stock data clearly shows that the regular pathways for migrants from developing countries have narrowed considerably, while pathways for those from developed countries have expanded (see Chapter 4 of this report). For increasing numbers of people around the world, therefore, irregular migration – including use of the asylum pathway – is the only option available to them.²⁵

Humanitarian crises due to displacement remain the exception, but they are also on the rise. Forced displacement is the highest on record in the modern era (see Table 1 below). The situation is further exacerbated by environmental impacts and climate change, which some scientists are predicting will force more than 216 million people across six continents to be on the move within their countries by 2050.²⁶

Meanwhile, humanitarian needs are outpacing funding support. As humanitarian needs rise and domestic fiscal pressures grow, many donor countries are under pressure to reduce their development budgets, placing development support to least developed countries at risk.²⁷ Meanwhile, the risk of further conflict has not been higher in decades, as military spending reached a new record high of USD 2,240 billion in 2022, reflecting an ongoing reduction in peace globally, as well as rising geopolitical tensions.²⁸ Humanitarian response will remain, for the foreseeable future, a major undertaking in order to support some of the most vulnerable people in the world. IOM will continue to be a major humanitarian actor in response to crises, including as a full member of the United Nations’ Inter-Agency Standing Committee on humanitarian action.²⁹