Safe pathways key to reducing risk for migrants

Restricting migration does not stop people from moving. It often pushes them into more dangerous routes. That is a central finding of the new World Migration Report 2026 released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).The report examines how safe and regular migration pathways shape economies, societies, and communities worldwide. IOM’s flagship publication, produced for over two decades, brings together global data and analysis to help policymakers and the public better understand migration trends.

This year’s report, published 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 migration can provide. Migration continues to play a major 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 grown 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. Financial contributions from migrants remain substantial. Remittances are projected to reach $905 billion in 2024, including $685 billion to low- and middle-income countries.

These flows exceed official development assistance and foreign direct investment combined. “Across the world, migration helps drive jobs, economic growth, stability and social cohesion,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. She noted that while countries have the right to set their own migration policies, cooperation at regional and global levels leads to safer and better outcomes.

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Source: The UN