#DevReportNG- ep13: 2018 MIGRANTS DAY - Connecting The Dots Between Migration and Development

2018 INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY - Connecting The Dots Between Migration and Development With the growing number of international migration pegged at 258 million as at 2017, what are the socio-economic and developmental impact of migration? What are dynamics of global migration, the pull and push factors, the realities and risks of irregular migration, amongst other emerging issues with a focus on the Nigerian context. FACT SHEET: There are over 258 million international migrants globally, (that is 3.4% of the world’s population) as at 2017. Since 2000, the total number of international migrants increased by almost 50 per cent, making the number of international migrants grow faster than the global population. 52 per cent of international migrants are male and 48 per cent are female. Work is the major reason that people migrate internationally, and migrant workers constitute a large majority of the world’s international migrants. USA, Germany, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, UK, UAE, Canada, France, Australia, Spain, Italy and India are the top destination countries for international migrants. Global displacement is at a record high, with the number of internally displaced at over 40 million and the number of refugees more than 22 million. Europe and Asia host the largest numbers of international migrants Internal migration is even more prevalent, with the most recent global estimate indicating that more than 740 million people had migrated within their own country of birth. Factors underpinning migration are numerous, relating to economic prosperity, inequality, demography, violence and conflict, and environmental change. Over 107,583 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean in 2018. Over 2,000 irregular migrants have died in 2018 while attempting to cross the Mediterranean into Europe. Irregular (illegal) migration has become a hot topic of local, national and global concern with social, political and economic dynamics. Africans constitute a high percentage of irregular migrants who are attempting to reach Europe through illegal means. Over 10,000 Nigerians who were trapped in Libya while attempting to reach Europe illegally have voluntarily returned home due to the suffering and inhumane conditions in the North African country. Irregular migration is closely related to human trafficking – the third most organised transnational crime against humanity.