Millions of people in Asia migrate out of necessity, as jobs and services are insufficient

The office said people across the region are migrating “not by choice, but by necessity,” driven by the systemic deprivation of economic, social and cultural rights in their countries of origin. Poverty, unemployment, weak public services and climate stress are eroding livelihoods and leaving millions of people with little choice but to leave.

“Migration should be a choice, not a necessity born of desperation.”said Cynthia Veliko, head of the OHCHR Regional Office for Southeast Asia.

“When people do not see a future for themselves in their countries of origin – because their rights, such as decent work, adequate education and healthcare, are not available to them – they may be forced to migrate in unsafe conditions and be exploited, often at great personal cost to themselves and their families.”

Migration trends

In 2024, more than 72 million international migrants came from the region, an increase of almost 13 percent from 2020. Nearly a quarter of all international migrants worldwide now come from the region.

Young people and women are particularly affected by unemployment, low wages and gender discrimination, while climate change is increasingly disrupting agriculture and informal work.

Rising food and electricity prices and depreciating local currencies are placing a heavier burden on the poorest households, who already spend more than half of their income on food. Without reliable education, healthcare and stable work, families are increasingly turning to migration as a survival strategy.

The consequences are increasingly deadly. At least 2,514 migrants died across Asia in 2024, the highest number ever recorded in the region and a 59 percent increase from the previous year, according to UN migration data.

A feeling of “no future”

A central finding is a growing sense of “no future” in parts of the region, where people no longer believe they can ensure a decent life at home.

“These are not mere individual aspirations. Education, healthcare, decent work and a healthy environment are human rights, duties that States must respect to ensure dignity and equality for all,” said Ms. Veliko.

“Governments should build inclusive societies through sustained investment in public services and ensure fair and equitable access to resources.”

Hidden costs of remittances

OHCHR also highlighted the Hidden costs of remittances, which are vital for many families and national economies but often hide deeper social harm..

For the poorest households, money sent from abroad is often used to meet basic needs such as food, utilities and emergency medical care, leaving little for education or long-term stability. Children grow up separated from their parents, elderly relatives lose care, and communities lose working-age adults.

“Behind every migrant there is a story of sacrifice, resilience and hope.“Ms. Veliko said. “Too often, their journeys are reduced to economic decisions, obscuring the deeper fight for dignity for themselves and the loved ones they leave behind.”

Recommendations

The UN human rights office urged the governments of countries of origin to prioritize public investment in health, education, job creation and environmental protectionwhile reducing inequality through inclusive economic policies.

It also urges destination countries to expand safe and regular migration pathways and to international financial institutions to align fiscal and debt policies with States’ human rights obligations.

The office said people will always move, but with adequate rights and opportunities in the country of origin, migration should become a genuine option, not an act of last resort.