Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers

The International Labour Organization (ILO) released the fourth edition of the ‘Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers’, highlighting the critical contributions of International migrants (IMs) to global economic growth.

Key Highlights of the ILO Report

• Global Labour Force Representation:
  • IMs constituted 4.7% (167.7 million) of the global labour force in 2022, with 155.6 million employed and 12.1 million unemployed.
  • The annual growth rate of IMs dropped below 1% during 2019-2022, partly due to the pandemic.
• Gender and Age Distribution:
  • Employment by Gender:
    • IM men accounted for 61.3% of the workforce, compared to 38.7% for women.
    • Women IMs face lower representation in both total IM numbers and the global labour force.
  • Age Distribution:
    • Prime-age IM workers (25-54 years) formed the largest group at 74.9%.
    • Youth (15-24 years) and seniors (above 55 years) made up smaller shares.
• Sectoral Employment:
  • Services Sector: The majority of IMs (68.4%) worked in services, with women dominating at 80.7%.
  • Industry: IMs constituted 24.3%, similar to non-migrants.
  • Agriculture: IMs accounted for 7.4%, compared to 24.3% for non-migrants.
• Host Countries:
  • High-income nations absorbed 68.4% (114 million) of IMs, particularly in services and care sectors.
  • Upper-middle-income countries hosted 17.4% of IMs.
  • Northern America and Europe remained key destinations, while Arab states saw a slight decline in IM workforce share.

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Who are International Migrants?

• As per the United Nations, international migrants are individuals who move to a country different from their usual residence for at least one year, regardless of the reason or legal status.
  • Refugees, asylum seekers, and related groups are also part of IM.

Role of International Migrants

• Economic Contribution: Address labour shortages in host countries, especially in sectors like healthcare, construction, and agriculture.
  • Enhance productivity and innovation in diverse industries.
• Remittances: Send significant financial resources to home countries, boosting household income and economic development.
• Cultural Exchange: Enrich societies with cultural diversity and global perspectives.
• Global Connectivity: Strengthen international ties through trade, investments, and networks.
• Support Ageing Populations: Provide workforce solutions for ageing societies in high-income countries.

Issues Regarding International Migrants

• Gender Disparities: Women are underrepresented in the IM workforce and face barriers to employment, including discrimination and limited opportunities.
• Sectoral Dependence: Over-reliance on certain sectors like services increases IMs’ vulnerability to economic downturns.
• Labour Exploitation: Many IMs face poor working conditions, low wages, and lack of legal protection in host countries.
• Social Exclusion: Migrants often experience challenges in integrating socially and culturally in host nations.
• Pandemic Impact: COVID-19 disrupted migration flows, employment opportunities, and remittance systems.

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Way Forward

• Promoting Gender Equality: Policies should focus on increasing women’s participation in the global IM workforce and providing equal opportunities.
• Inclusive Policies: Host countries need frameworks to protect IMs from exploitation and ensure access to healthcare, housing, and social security.
• Skills Development: Initiatives to enhance IMs’ skills can improve employability and benefit host economies.
• Regional Cooperation: Strengthened collaboration between sending and receiving countries can ensure smooth migration processes and fair treatment of IMs.
• Monitoring and Data Collection: Regular assessments of IM contributions and challenges can inform effective policymaking.
• Global Solidarity: Organizations like the ILO must continue to advocate for IMs’ rights and promote their inclusion in sustainable development strategies.