Migration wave to rich countries sets all-time record

Migration to rich countries hit an all-time high last year, driven by global humanitarian crises and demand for labour, according to the OECD.

The Paris-based organization estimates that 6.1 million new migrants moved to the OECD's 38 member countries last year, up 26% from 2021 and 14% higher than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cross-border movement.

The OECD revealed that preliminary figures for 2023 show an even higher increase, indicating that last year's surge was not just due to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The figures do not include: the 4.7 million Ukrainians displaced by the war who were living in OECD countries as of June this year; temporary migrants for work; or the 1.9 million international students who have just been granted permits.

The OECD said that both humanitarian and labour-related flows are likely to remain high, with labour-related migration accounting for an increasing share, due to widespread labour shortages.

“Most OECD countries are experiencing labour shortages. The situation could get worse in the future,” said José Luis Escrivá, Spain’s Minister for Migration, at the launch of the OECD report.

Mr. Escrivá explained that simply to stabilize the population, based on demographic trends, the European Union (EU) will need at least 50 million foreigners in the next 25 years.

The number of humanitarian migrants arriving in Germany and the US – the top two countries granting asylum – nearly doubled in 2022.

Meanwhile, labour migration has hit a 15-year high in many countries, with Germany up 59%, the US up 39% and France up 26%. New Zealand’s inflow has tripled the previous record, thanks to a one-time policy allowing temporary residency for migrants seeking work.

Immigrant employment rates hit record highs of more than 70% and unemployment is less than 8%.

The fact that the majority of migrants are Ukrainian women shows that governments need to do more to help women get jobs, said Stefano Scarpetta, OECD director for employment, labour and social affairs.

Women often migrate through family reunification rather than as workers or refugees. This has far-reaching consequences, as family migrants are often a blind spot in migration and integration policies.

Better access to parental leave or childcare support would be key to closing the gap in employment rates between immigrant and native-born women, Scarpetta added. If successful, they could add 5.8 million women to the workforce.

According to the International Organization for Migration, the US-Mexico border is one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world. Last year, 686 people died or went missing while trying to make the journey. This year alone, 1.7 million migrants have reached the US-Mexico border.