Labour migration: Facts and figures

Labour migration: Facts and figures

Globally there are 232 million international migrants around the world.1 Most international migration today is related to seeking employment. More than 90per cent of all international migrants are workers and their families.2 There are an estimated 740 million people whom migrant internally, in most cases in search for decent employment and better livelihoods4 The total number of migrants has risen by 57 million since 2000 and 19% of this increase occurred within the past three years5 Currently, the world´s largest corridor of international migration is between the United States and Mexico.3 48 per cent of all international migrants are women, who are increasingly migrating for work.2 21 million people are in forced labour and trafficked globally. Of the total figure, 9.1 million people (44%) moved for work4 It is estimated that one in eight migrants are between the ages of 15 and 24.2 In 2013, Asians represented the largest diaspora group residing outside their major area of birth.3 Migrant workers who borrow money from third parties face an increased risk of being in forced labour.5

Sources:

1. The number of international migrants worldwide reaches 232 million
2. Mainstreaming of Migration in Development Policy and Integrating Migration in the Post-2015 UN Development Agenda
3. International Migration 2013: Migrants by origin and destination
4. Fair recruitment initiative
5. Source here