At a glance

Labour migration: Facts and figures

Labour migration: Facts and figures
  • Globally there are 232 million international migrants around the world.1
  • Most international migration today is related to seeking employment. More than 90per cent of all international migrants are workers and their families.2
  • There are an estimated 740 million people whom migrant internally, in most cases in search for decent employment and better livelihoods4
  • The total number of migrants has risen by 57 million since 2000 and 19% of this increase occurred within the past three years5
  • Currently, the world´s largest corridor of international migration is between the United States and Mexico.3
  • 48 per cent of all international migrants are women, who are increasingly migrating for work.2
  • 21 million people are in forced labour and trafficked globally. Of the total figure, 9.1 million people (44%) moved for work4
  • It is estimated that one in eight migrants are between the ages of 15 and 24.2
  • In 2013, Asians represented the largest diaspora group residing outside their major area of birth.3
  • Migrant workers who borrow money from third parties face an increased risk of being in forced labour.5


Sources:
  1. The number of international migrants worldwide reaches 232 million
  2. Mainstreaming of Migration in Development Policy and Integrating Migration in the Post-2015 UN Development Agenda
  3. International Migration 2013: Migrants by origin and destination
  4. Fair recruitment initiative
  5. Source here