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World Migration Report 2024

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Context

  • The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has released its World Migration Report 2024.
  • Since 2000, IOM has been producing its flagship world migration reports every two years.

Findings

  • International remittances surged by 650 percent, from USD 128 billion to USD 831 billion between 2000 and 2022.
  • Migrant remittances surpass foreign direct investment in boosting the GDP of developing nations.
  • In 2022, India, Mexico, China, the Philippines, and France were the top five remittance recipient countries.
  • India received over USD 111 billion in remittances in 2022, the largest in the world, becoming the first country to reach and even surpass the USD 100 billion mark.
  • India was the top country receiving remittances in 2010, 2015, and 2020.
  • India is also the origin of the largest number of international migrants in the world, with large diasporas living in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Saudi Arabia.
  • Pakistan and Bangladesh were the sixth and eighth-largest international remittance recipients in 2022. • Largest Regional Inflow of Remittance: Southern Asia receives some of the largest inflows of remittances globally.
  • Three countries in Southern Asia – India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, rank among the top ten recipients of international remittances in the world, underscoring the significance of labor migration from the subregion.
  • Reasons for Migration: Political or economic instability as well as climate change and other disasters.
  • In 2022, there were 117 million displaced people in the world, and 71.2 million internally displaced people.
  • The number of asylum-seekers has risen more than 30 percent since 2020.
  • Destination Countries: Migrants continue to comprise high proportions of the total populations in many Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States.
  • In the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar, migrants made up 88 percent, nearly 73 and 77 percent of the national populations, respectively.
  • Most migrants work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, security, domestic work, and retail.
  • Mobile Students: Countries in Asia are the origins of the largest number of internationally mobile students in the world.
  • In 2021, more than one million internationally mobile students were from China and the US is the largest destination country for internationally mobile students, followed by the UK, Australia, Germany, and Canada.
  • Concerns: Migrant workers continue to face financial exploitation, excessive financial debt due to migration costs, xenophobia, and workplace abuses.
  • The impact of the pandemic has been severe on both internal and international Indian emigrant workers, particularly low-skilled emigrants on short-term contracts.
  • Loss of jobs along with wage theft and lack of social security during the pandemic has plunged many Indian migrants into deep debt and insecurity.

Factors Responsible for Global Displacement

  • Conflict and War: Armed conflict and war are primary drivers of displacement, forcing millions of people to flee their homes to seek safety in other regions or countries.
  • Ongoing conflicts in countries like Ukraine, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, and Afghanistan have led to significant displacement.
  • Human Rights Violations: Persecution based on ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, or other factors forces individuals and communities to flee their homes.
  • Natural Disasters: Floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and droughts displaced populations, either temporarily or permanently.
  • Climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of some of these disasters, leading to more displacement.
  • Economic Hardship: Economic instability, poverty, lack of job opportunities, and inequality compel people to leave their homes in search of better economic prospects elsewhere.
  • Ethnic and Religious Conflict: Tensions between different ethnic or religious groups lead to violence and displacement, particularly in areas where these identities are deeply entrenched and where there’s a history of conflict.
  • Discrimination and Marginalization: Discrimination based on factors such as ethnicity, race, gender, or sexual orientation leads to marginalization and exclusion, forcing people to leave their homes in search of acceptance and safety elsewhere.

Challenges Faced by Migrants:

  • Legal and Administrative Hurdles: Migrants face legal barriers and administrative hurdles related to obtaining visas, residency permits, or asylum status in their destination countries.
  • Language and Cultural Barriers: Communication barriers make it difficult to access services, find employment, or integrate into local communities.
  • Economic Challenges: Finding employment and economic stability in a new country can be challenging for migrants, especially if they lack formal education, job skills, or legal authorization to work.
  • Social Exclusion and Discrimination: Migrants encounter discrimination, prejudice, and social exclusion in their destination countries due to their nationality, ethnicity, religion, or immigration status.
  • Mental Health Issues: Migrants experience psychological distress, trauma, and mental health issues due to the stress of displacement, separation from family and support networks, experiences of violence or persecution, and uncertainty about their future.
  • Exploitation: Migrants, especially those in irregular or undocumented status, are vulnerable to exploitation, human trafficking, and abuse by smugglers, traffickers, employers, or criminal networks.
  • Housing and Shelter: Migrants often struggle to find affordable and safe housing in their destination countries, especially in urban areas where housing shortages and high rents are common.
  • Many end up living in overcrowded and substandard conditions or are at risk of homelessness.
  • Lack of Legal Protection: Migrants, particularly asylum seekers and refugees, face violations of their human rights, including detention, deportation, arbitrary arrest, or denial of due process.
  • They also lack access to legal representation and advocacy to defend their rights and seek justice.

 Suggestion.

  • Implement policies and programs for refugees and migrants that promote their social integration, their participation in society and reduce anti-migrant sentiment and discrimination.
  • Ensure that migrant policies recognize and address the social determinants of mental health and prioritize basic needs, including food, housing, safety, and education or employment.
  • Strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers to assess and treat mental health conditions among refugees and migrants from diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • Safeguard the human rights of all refugees and migrants regardless of legal status by strengthening national and international policies and criminal justice measures that protect migrants from discrimination and violence.
International Organization for Migration (IOM

–       It is part of the United Nations System as the leading inter-governmental organization promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all since 1951.

–       It has 175 member states and a presence in 171 countries.

–       The organization collaborates with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners to improve the resilience of people on the move, particularly those in situations of vulnerability.

–       It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.