International migration outlook 2024
This report offers a comprehensive examination of the complexities of international migration in a rapidly changing global landscape. It explores the evolving dynamics of migration flows and patterns, delving into the drivers and impacts of these movements across various countries. It also presents the main developments and trends in migration and integration policy.
The report outlines the labour market experiences of migrants, analyzing their integration pathways and outcomes, including their participation in entrepreneurship. It provides insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by migrants in different contexts, finding that although migration is at record levels for the second year in a row, labour market outcomes for migrants are also at record high levels. The authors concede that high migration puts pressure on receiving governments but argue this can be managed with appropriate policy.
Key findings
- In 2023, more than 150 million people living in OECD countries were foreign-born. In the ten years leading up to 2023, the share of foreign-born in OECD countries rose from 9% to 11%.
- Permanent-type migration to OECD countries set a new record in 2023 with 6.5 million new permanent immigrants, a 10% year-on-year increase, and 28% above 2019 levels. While most categories of migration registered increases, free mobility is a notable exception.
- For the first time, the number of asylum applications in the United States (more than 1 million) surpassed those in European OECD countries taken together.
- International student flows continued to rise. With a 6.7% year-on-year increase, OECD countries welcomed over 2.1 million new international students, a level 33% higher than in 2019.
- Long-term unemployment among immigrants declined virtually everywhere in the OECD. Immigrants are now only slightly more likely to be in long-term unemployment than their native-born counterparts.
- In two-thirds of OECD countries, immigrants are more likely to be self-employed than the native-born, and job creation due to migrant entrepreneurship is significant.
