International Migration Outlook 2023

By Amigos IAS

Why is it in the news?

  • The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recently released International Migration Outlook 2023.

About the Migration Report

Key Findings

  • India emerged as the top country of origin for new citizens in OECD countries in 2021, with 400,000 new migrants (excluding students).
  • Permanent-type migration to OECD countries reached a record of 6 million in 2022, driven by family migration, managed labour migration, and free mobility.
  • Germany, Poland, and the U.S. have the highest number of refugees from Ukraine in absolute terms.
  • Immigrant Mothers’ face significant disadvantages compared to immigrant women without children and their native-born counterparts.
  • Migrant women tend to have more children than native-born women in OECD countries, but their total fertility rate is mostly below the replacement rate (2.1 children per woman). (Note: Replacement level fertility is the level of fertility at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next)
  • 20% gap in employment rates between immigrant mothers and native-born mothers.
  • Individual preferences, cultural factors, and childcare responsibilities are major barriers for migrant mothers seeking employment.

 

 

Impacts of Migration on Labor Markets and Economic Growth:

 Positive Impacts:

·       Labor markets benefit from migrants filling niches.

·       Young migrants are generally more educated.

·       Migrants enhance labor-market flexibility, especially in Europe.

·       Fiscal contributions: Migrants contribute more in taxes than they consume in benefits.

·       Economic growth factors include boosting working-age population, skills contribution, and technological progress.

 Negative Impacts:

·       Racial tension and discrimination, e.g., policies in Australia and USA.

·       Gender imbalance with predominant male migration.

·       Increased pressure on natural resources leading to housing and environmental issues.

·       Exploitation of Workers, e.g., the Kafala system in the Gulf.

Global Migration Dynamics

  • India has the largest diaspora with 18 million Indians abroad.
  • India leads in receiving remittances, crossing the $100-billion mark.
  • Major destinations for Indian emigrants are Gulf countries, the USA, Canada, and the UK.
  • The Russia-Ukraine war led to millions of Ukrainian refugees in OECD countries.

 Internal Migration in India

  • 37% (45 crore) of India’s population are migrants.
  • Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) 2021 report indicates states like UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand experience net out-migration.
  • Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka are primary recipients of rural migrants.

Drivers of Global Migration

  • Employment opportunities: e.g., Migration to Gulf countries from India.
  • Climate crisis: Migration due to extreme weather events.
  • Wars: As seen in Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts.
  • Internal disturbances: e.g., Afghanistan crisis.
  • Skilled labor demand in the West, notably from India and China.
About OECD:

·       Genesis: Originally formed as the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) to administer American and Canadian aid under the Marshall Plan. It transformed into OECD in 1961.

·       Description: An international organization collaborating with member countries and partners on global issues at various levels.

·       Members: 38 countries including the USA, Mexico, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and the UK. India is not a member.

·       Role: OECD countries and their partners account for approximately 80% of global trade and investment.

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