CHR News Desk | New Delhi
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) released its latest World Migration Report on Tuesday, revealing a significant shift in global migration patterns and addressing challenges in the public discourse surrounding migration.
According to the report, money sent home by migrants has surpassed foreign direct investment in boosting the gross domestic product (GDP) of developing countries. This finding underscores the economic impact of migration on both sending and receiving nations.
The report also highlights a record number of people displaced due to conflict, violence, and natural disasters, with over 281 million international migrants globally. Among them, approximately 117 million are displaced individuals, marking the highest level to date.
Speaking at the report’s launch in Dhaka, Bangladesh, IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the importance of evidence-based data and analysis in understanding the complexity of human mobility.
Despite sensationalized narratives and headlines, the report emphasizes that most migration is regular, safe, and regionally focused, directly linked to opportunities and livelihoods. However, misinformation and politicization have clouded public discourse surrounding migration dynamics, necessitating a clear and accurate portrayal of the issue.
In light of these challenges, Bangladesh was chosen as the site for the report’s launch to spotlight the country’s efforts in supporting vulnerable migrants and promoting pathways to regular migration. Bangladesh’s commitment to addressing migration issues and implementing policies that safeguard migrants’ rights, as demonstrated through its participation in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, was also recognized.
Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud affirmed Bangladesh’s dedication to addressing emerging migration issues and challenges both domestically and internationally, underscoring the country’s role in shaping global migration discourse and policy.
Driving development and growth
International migration remains a driver of human development and economic growth, as highlighted by a more than 650 per cent increase in international remittances from 2000 to 2022, rising from $128 billion to $831 billion.
Growth continued despite predictions that remittances would decrease substantially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most of the money, $647 billion, was sent to low and middle-income countries, constituting a significant portion of their GDP – that is, the amount of money earned from the sale of all goods and services.
Globally, these remittances now surpass foreign direct investment in those countries.
Record displacement
The report also reveals ongoing challenges. Although most people continue to live in the country where they were born, an estimated 281 million people worldwide are international migrants, or roughly 3.6 per cent of the global population. Of this number, 117 million are displaced – the highest level yet.
IOM said migration is an intrinsic part of human history, but it is often overshadowed by sensationalized narratives and headlines that belie the reality on the ground.
“Most migration is regular, safe, and regionally focused, directly linked to opportunities and livelihoods,” the UN agency affirmed. “Yet, misinformation and politicisation have clouded public discourse, necessitating a clear and accurate portrayal of migration dynamics.”
Spotlight on Bangladesh
IOM chose Dhaka as the site for the report’s launch to both highlight Bangladesh’s efforts to support vulnerable migrants and promote pathways to regular migration and to recognize the country’s important role in shaping global migration discourse and policy.
As a champion of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, adopted in December 2018, Bangladesh has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing migration issues and implementing policies that safeguard migrants’ rights, IOM said.
The country’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, said “Bangladesh will not only continue to act upon the pledges it has made for its domestic context but would also take up emerging issues and challenges pertaining to migration and development for informed deliberations at the international level.”
