The recent publication of the International Migration Outlook 2023 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released fascinating insights into global migration trends. This article explores key findings from the report, including which countries are the biggest sources of international migrants, how climate change impacts migration, and the types of migration prevalent today.
India Tops List of Countries for Migration to OECD
In a surprising turn of events, India surpassed China as the primary source of migration to OECD countries in 2021 and 2022. According to the report, India consistently occupied the top spot, with 0.41 million new migrants in both years, while China sent 0.23 million new migrants. Romania followed these two countries with approximately 200,000 new migrants.
Policy Responses to Climate-Induced Displacement
Climate-induced displacement is an increasingly pressing issue, and the report reveals that few OECD countries have outright policies to handle this problem. A notable exception is Colombia, which began discussions on an innovative bill in April 2023. The proposed legislation aims to recognize and support climate-displaced individuals with comprehensive provisions for housing, healthcare, education, and a national register.
Record Refugee Inflows and Worker Migration in OECD Region
The Russia-Ukraine war led to unprecedented levels of refugee inflow in the OECD region, totaling over 10 million internally displaced people or refugees. Worker migration saw substantial rises from India, Uzbekistan, and Turkey, making them significant source countries post-Ukraine.
Recent International Migration Trends
All four leading destination countries—the United States, Germany, the UK, and Spain—recorded substantial yearly increases between 21% and 35%. Although smaller, Canada also saw an increase of 8%. In particular, the United States alone welcomed 1.05 million new permanent-type migrants, while the other four countries admitted between 440,000 and 650,000 each.
Categories of Permanent-Type Migration
Family migration remained the leading category of entry for new permanent-type migrants in 2022, accounting for 40% of all such migration. The portion of labor migration has grown over time, making up 21% of permanent-type migration in 2022, a leap from 16% in 2019. Meanwhile, the share of free movement migration (within the EU-EFTA and between Australia and New Zealand) has declined since 2020, representing 21% of permanent-type migration in 2022, down from 28% in 2019.
About OECD
The OECD is an international economic organization established to stimulate global economic progress and trade. Founded in 1961 with headquarters in Paris, France, most of its 38 member nations are high-income economies with high Human Development Index ratings, generally considered developed countries. The latest countries to join were Colombia and Costa Rica in 2020 and 2021, respectively. While India is not a member, it is recognized as a key economic partner.
Reports and Indices by OECD
The OECD routinely publishes insightful reports and indices, including the Government at a Glance report and the OECD Better Life Index. These resources aim to provide a comprehensive view of various aspects of society and governance, proving invaluable tools for policymakers, analysts, and researchers globally.