Module 14: Global Migration

Module 14: Global Migration

• Objectives: Students should be able to: develop an overview of migration; identify trends of migration; analyze globalization's effect on migration; understand migration categories; and analyze push and pull factors influencing migration.

• Global Migration: This involves a complex relationship between causes and effects of people moving across international borders. Reasons include safety, natural disasters, and political conflict.

• Major Migration Destination: Historically, the US is a primary destination for international migrants, with 51 million in 2019. Many migrants have positively impacted American life.

• Top Migrant Origin Countries (2019): India, Mexico, and China recorded the highest number of migrants living abroad. Over 40% of the global migrant population originated from Asia, including 17.5 million from India alone.

• International Migrant Population (2017): 258 million, representing 3.4% of the world's total population.

• Migrant Flows (2016): 5 million foreign-born people entered OECD countries.

• Labor Migrants (2015): 150.3 million migrant workers globally.

• International Students (2016): 4.8 million students, increasing from 2 million in 2000.

• Remittances (2017): $466 billion sent to low- and middle-income countries, surpassing official development assistance.

• Displaced Persons (2017): 68.5 million forcibly displaced globally due to persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations.

• Irregular Migrants (2009): Estimated 50 million.

• Refugees (2017): 25.4 million registered refugees.

• Migrant Deaths/Missing (2017): At least 6,163 migrant deaths or disappearances.

• Human Trafficking/Modern Slavery (2016): Estimated 25 million victims of forced labor.

• Migrant Smuggling (2016): 2.5 million irregular migrants were smuggled, with an estimated USD 5.5-7 billion in economic activity.

• Returns (2017): 72,176 voluntary returns supported by IOM.

• Migrant Contribution (2015): Migrants contributed $6.7 trillion (9.4%) to global GDP.

• Children (2017): 14% of the global migrant population.

• Women (2017): 48.8% of the global migrant population.

• Environmental Displacement (2017): 18.8 million people newly displaced by sudden-onset disasters.

• Governance (2018): IOM's Migration Governance project involves 39 countries.

• Potential Migration (2015): 66 million adults (1.3%) globally planned to permanently relocate.

• Public Opinion (2015): 22% of the world's population would prefer national immigration to remain at its current level.

• Migration Data (2010 Censuses): 87+% of countries asked about country of birth; 75%+ asked for citizenship; and 50% asked about arrival date.

• Push Factors: These are factors that compel people to leave a country. They include violence, lack of opportunities, and famine.

• Pull Factors: These attract people to a new country. They involve factors like better economic prospects, a safer environment, and greater opportunities.

• Migration Effects: Migrants impact families, communities, cities, and countries both positively and negatively. They contribute labor, remittances, and cultural diversity but can also experience discrimination and social tensions.

Further Study

• Analyze different case studies of global migration.
• Investigate the impact of specific push and pull factors on migration patterns.
• Evaluate the governance and policy implications for migration management.