The launch of the report in Dhaka, Bangladesh was accompanied by a statement from IOM Director General Amy Pope, who stated that the report aims to use data and analysis to clarify the complexity of human mobility.
Despite challenges, international migration continues to drive human development and economic growth. In fact, there has been a 650% increase in international remittances from 2000 to 2022, reaching a total of $831 billion. This growth has defied predictions that remittances would decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The majority of these remittances, $647 billion, were sent to low and middle-income countries, making up a significant portion of their GDP. This amount is higher than the foreign direct investment received by these countries.
The report also sheds light on the fact that while most people still live in their country of birth, there are approximately 281 million international migrants worldwide, which accounts for about 3.6% of the global population. Of this number, 117 million are displaced – the highest number ever recorded.
IOM emphasizes that migration has always been a part of human history, but it is often misrepresented in the media and political discourse. The agency states that most migration is regular, safe, and focused on specific regions, and is directly related to opportunities and livelihoods.
The report was launched in Dhaka to recognize Bangladesh’s efforts in supporting vulnerable migrants and promoting regular migration. As a strong supporter of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, adopted in 2018, Bangladesh has shown a commitment to addressing migration issues and implementing policies that protect migrants’ rights.
The country’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, stated that Bangladesh will continue to fulfill its pledges for its own domestic context and will also address emerging migration and development issues at the international level.