IOM’s flagship publication, produced for more than two decades, brings together global data and analysis to help policymakers and the general public better understand migration trends.
This year’s report, released during the International Migration Review Forum in New York, finds that limiting legal pathways increases risks for migrants, raises costs for states and reduces the broader benefits that migration can provide.
People continue to migrate in an increasingly uncertain global context.
Migration continues to play an important role in the global economy. By mid-2024, there were an estimated 304 million international migrants, about 3.7 percent of the world’s population. The number of migrant workers has also increased significantly, increasing by more than 30 million between 2013 and 2022.
Benefits of migration
“Migrants contribute as workers, entrepreneurs and consumers, and through the skills, innovation and connections they bring across borders,” said IOM spokesperson Zoe Brennan.
The financial contributions of migrants remain substantial. Remittances are projected to reach $905 billion in 2024, including $685 billion going to low- and middle-income countries. These flows exceed official development assistance and foreign direct investment combined.
“Around the world, migration helps boost employment, economic growth, stability and social cohesion,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope.
He noted that while countries have the right to establish their own migration policies, cooperation at the regional and global level leads to better and safer results.
Unequal access and increasing displacement
Despite these benefits, access to migration opportunities remains unequal. More pathways are available in higher-income countries, while options remain limited in lower-income contexts. Migration patterns also vary significantly between regions, underscoring that there is no single global migration story.
Meanwhile, these trends come as global displacement reaches record levels. By the end of 2024, more than 120 million people were displaced worldwide, including refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people. 83.4 million people were displaced within their own countries, the highest number ever recorded.
Most displacement is due to a combination of conflict, environmental pressures and structural vulnerabilities. Many of the most important displacement situations require a long-term approach focused on development alongside humanitarian assistance.
Immigration advances are at risk
However, the report warns that these benefits of migration are at risk. As roads narrow, it is moving into more dangerous channels, increasing human and economic costs.
“Ensuring safe and regular pathways and strengthening regional cooperation are concrete steps that help countries manage migration more effectively,” Ms Brennan said.
IOM is calling for practical measures to sustain these benefits, including expanding safe pathways, reducing the costs of remittances, supporting skills mobility and strengthening regional cooperation.
It also emphasizes the need for better data and more inclusive, evidence-based policies to manage migration effectively in a changing global landscape.