Global Migration

Fig. 2 - A world map showing the number of asylum seekers by country of origin in 2009

Types of migration

Although migration always involves the movement of a person from one place to another, there can be many reasons for this movement and many different ways it can occur. This gives rise to different types of migration:

Labour migration

Labour migration is the movement of individuals from one country to another for work, or in response to recruitment drives. High-skilled labour migration is a type of migration most demanded by host countries looking to attract highly skilled workers. In most cases, countries seek highly skilled workers in certain occupations when there is a shortage. This type of migration is not as common.

Temporary migration is also a characteristic of labour migration, where people migrate for the specific purpose of working. In some cases, people may migrate who have low skill levels, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and human rights violations. In some cases, this migration can be illegal.

Within many countries, the ability to migrate is dependent on the skill level or education. In some places, like Australia, this is more visible, with their point-based entry system. In the EU, this is not as common, therefore more unskilled worker migration can be facilitated.

Global migration issues and effects

Global, or international migration has demographic, health, social, economic, political and even environmental implications. Let's take a look.

Implications of global migration

When we consider the implications of global migration, we divide them into demographic, health and social, economic, political and environmental implications:

Demographic implications

In the origin country, populations of childbearing age will leave, causing birth rates to drop, Younger workers tend to migrate, leaving behind an older generation, resulting in an unbalanced and ageing population in the origin country. Comparatively, in the host country, the youthful working population will boom, birth rates may increase, and general population numbers will rise. In some cases, male migrants may dominate, creating a further gender imbalance in both origin and host countries.

Health and social implications

Demographic and population change can relieve pressure on healthcare and education systems, if population rates reduce in an origin country. More significantly, however, there may also be a loss of qualified workers (doctors, nurses, teachers), due to increased wages and better prospects elsewhere, which can impact the economy and development levels. In the host country, pressure on schools (specifically primary schools) and healthcare services (maternal and infant) may increase, as the population rises. Ethnic and racial tensions may also increase, alongside segregation issues. Some migrants, particularly asylum seekers and refugees, are vulnerable to human trafficking. The movement of people away from an origin country can cause a break-up of communities, family units, and even a loss of traditional culture. On the other hand, cultural diversity will increase in the host country, with the introduction of new foods, music, and fashion.

Economic implications

In the origin country, there may be a reduction in pressures on food, water and energy supplies, reduced agricultural and industrial production, as well as a general decline in services, with fewer people to support them. With a reduced workforce and the loss of the most educated and skilled workforce members, development is hindered. Migrants often send money back to their origin country in the form of remittances; this is often not enough to support the economic decline from migration, which may cause dependency. In some cases, migrants can develop new skills to be able to bring back to their origin country.

In the host country, the workforce will increase, overcoming any labour or specific skill shortages, and the economy can be improved, as migrants spend money and pay taxes. However, pressure on jobs may lead to higher unemployment rates during periods of economic downturn, and the workforce may become more competitive, where migrants are typically willing to work longer and harder for relatively low pay. In times of recession, migrant resentment may be higher.

Political implications

In the origin country, pressure may increase for policies to be initiated to re-develop areas which are declining. Other policies may also be introduced, such as pro-natal policies, or even incentives to help retain skilled workers. Some governments of countries with high populations may encourage migration for socio-economic advantages, or as an anti-natal strategy. In the host country, however, more issues could occur; with negative views toward migration, pressure for migration control may rise, as well as anti-immigration political parties, and right-wing organisations. With more nationalistic views, migration can often clash. In some places, 'closed-door' migration policies exist, which can hinder movement. Think about the UK and Brexit, or even North Korea.

Environmental implications

In the origin country, abandonment can occur; farmland, buildings, and whole villages can be left behind, while environmental management also decreases. In the host country, there may be increased pressure on land for development and infrastructure, such as roads or housing. Resource pressure will also increase, as the demand for energy, water, and food rises.

Global Compact for Migration

Approximately 258 million people around the world are migrants. This number is expected to grow as the population increases, trade improves, and inequality rises. While migration can be extremely beneficial, poorly regulated migration can pose significant challenges. The social infrastructures of the host country can often be overwhelmed, or dangerous migrant journeys can increase the likelihood of migrant death.

What is the GCM?

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) is a governmental agreement prepared under the United Nations' sponsorship.

It was decided by the UN General Assembly in 2016 that an agreement should be developed to make migration safer. The development process started in April 2017, and in July 2018, the UN finalised the text for the GCM. This GCM was formally endorsed in December 2018, through voting. 152 countries voted in favour, 5 voted against, 12 remained neutral, and 24 didn't vote.

The GCM is known as a compact. There are no laws for countries to abide by. Instead, it has commitments or goals that countries are aiming to achieve. This means looking into the factors that push people to migrate and investing in ways to give people a better quality of life. When migration is necessary, the aim is to create conditions that enable migrants to move under safer circumstances, protect migrants from discrimination, and recognise their contributions to the new societies they move to.

Global migration crisis

According to the UN Refugee Agency, at the end of 2020, 82.4 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, climate, or events seriously disturbing public order. The number of refugees has never been higher in modern history. This global migration crisis is better known as a refugee crisis. Refugee crises can refer to large groups of displaced people. They could be internally displaced persons, refugees, asylum seekers or any other big group of migrants. A refugee crisis can help to demonstrate incidents in a country of origin, problems while on the move, and problems in the hosting country after arrival.

In the past decade alone, the global refugee population has more than doubled. It is estimated that more than 82 million people have been forced from their homes worldwide. Among them, 26 million are refugees, the highest population on record. The displacement of people can be caused by war and conflict, human rights violations, environmental and climatic issues, as well as economic hardship.