‘International Migration in a New Era of Mobility’

According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, international migration is a global phenomenon that is growing in scope, complexity and impact. It’s a part and parcel of broader developmental process in today’s globalized world.

The reasons for migration can be economic, social, political or environmental factors which are generally categorized into push and pull factors. Migration impacts both the place left behind and also the place where migrants settle. The most recent UN global migration statistics reveal that 232 million international migrants are living abroad compared with 175 million in 2000, and 154 million in 1990. The North or developed world is home to 136 million international migrants as compared to 96 million in the South or the developing world. The statistics were published prior to the UN High-level Dialogue on International Migration and
Development held on Oct 3-4, 2013. The meeting was aimed at enhancing benefits of migrants.

In this meeting, it was revealed that the impact of remittance-flows is also significant, having reached US$401 billion last year — nearly four times the US$126 billion in official development assistance (ODA). At the meeting, a report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the High-level Dialogue was also presented. The report includes eight key recommendations for UN member states to consider, including protecting migrant rights by implementing relevant conventions and creating greater opportunities for legal migration. The participants also underscored the plight of Caribbean and other migrants, stressing that countries should enhance efforts to protect their rights while finding ways to integrate their contributions to society into the post-2015 development agenda.

In 2013, Europe and Asia received most of the international migrants from around the world. Europe has remained the most popular destination for 72 million migrants compared with Asia which has almost received 71 million. On the other hand, since 1990, Northern America has recorded the largest number of international migrants and it experiences the fastest growth in migrant stock by an average of 2.8% per annum.  ‘New sources and destinations of migrants are emerging, and in some cases, countries have become important points of origin, transit and destination simultaneously,’ opines John Wilmoth, Director of the Population Division in the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Asia alone has received 20 million migrants since 2000. This number is increasing day by day due to the increasing demand for foreign labour in the oil-producing countries of Western and Southeast Asian. Whereas, while dividing the migrants into two halves ‘one half of all international migrants lives in 10 countries, with the US hosting the largest number (45.8 million), followed by the Russian Federation (11 million); Germany (9.8 million); Saudi Arabia (9.1 million); United Arab Emirates (7.8 million); United Kingdom (7.8 million); France (7.4 million); Canada (7.3 million); Australia (6.5 million) and Spain (6.5 million).

 The US gained the largest absolute number of international migrants between 1990 and 2013′ nearly 23 million’ equal to one million additional migrants per year. The United Arab Emirates recorded the second largest gain with seven million, followed by Spain with six million. It is said that most of these people are moving from the under-developed and developing countries like, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and African countries. These countries have failed to provide the basic amenities of life to their citizens like equality, security and political and economic stability.

Nevertheless, international migration should be considered a healthy concept because it promotes development. Migrants remain in touch with their native countries and keep on exchanging money, knowledge and ideas. ‘Evidence clearly shows that migration contributes significantly to development,’ said Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson.

The biggest outcome of international migration is remittances which reached over USD 320 billion in the year 2011 as quoted by the report of World Bank. Moreover, the concept of ‘brain gain’ has replaced the ‘brain drain’ which further boosts up the development in the native nation of the migrant. After few years, these migrants return back to their own country with specialized knowledge and skills and help improve research and development programmes in the home country.

Jan Eliasson also said, ‘Migrant and Diaspora communities can bring about innovation, trade and investment. Migrants contribute to economic development as entrepreneurs by creating business start-ups and employment.’

Lastly, voices should be raised for the migrants who go to other countries for the sake of getting education and employment. An institution like ‘Centre for Migration Studies of New York’ should be in every country because such institutions are helpful in promotion of understanding between immigrants and receiving communities. They also help in safeguarding the dignity and rights of migrants.

‘At the heart of migration are human beings who move,” Eliasson added, reminding Member States of the need to protect their rights. “The term ‘migrants’ describes what they do but let us remember who they are: human beings with human rights.”