Study Shows Surge in Migration From Developing to Developed Countries in 2023

November 16, 2024 TruthUSA

Among the countries examined, the UK experienced the highest percentage increase in arrivals compared to the previous year and ranked second in terms of total numbers, following the United States.

A recent study revealed that migration to wealthier countries reached a peak in the past year.

According to data released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), approximately 6.5 million migrants moved from less affluent nations to richer countries in 2023, marking a significant increase in permanent migration.

About one-third of the 38 OECD members observed record-breaking arrival figures last year, including Canada, France, Japan, Switzerland, and the UK.

However, this surge in immigrants from poorer regions was not evenly distributed among the wealthier nations, as one-third experienced a decline in arrivals, such as Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, and New Zealand.

Secretary-General of the OECD, Mathias Cormann, attributed this rise in migration to the high demand for labor in many OECD countries, which has contributed to economic growth.

“Enhancing the accessibility of labor migration pathways is crucial in addressing labor shortages and managing migration effectively,” Cormann stated.

Leading the list of countries in the data was the UK, with 746,900 new permanent arrivals recorded last year, a significant increase from 488,400 in 2022.

This spike of 52.9 percent year-over-year in the UK was the highest among all OECD members, with South Korea closely following with a 50.9 percent surge from 2022.

However, when comparing the raw numbers of arrivals, the difference between the UK and South Korea was substantial, with South Korea receiving only 87,100 arrivals last year, 659,800 less than the UK.

Considering the population sizes, the UK, with a population of 68.3 million, saw a much larger number of arrivals compared to South Korea, which has 51.7 million inhabitants.

The UK’s significant influx of new arrivals placed it second after the United States, which welcomed 1.2 million immigrants, despite having a population five times greater than the UK.

Temporary Arrivals

Although the study focused on 6.5 million permanent migrants, this figure does not account for temporary migrants or illegal immigrants.

The OECD typically categorizes “permanent-type” migrants as workers and their families, excluding students and refugees, who are considered temporary residents.

Regarding temporary arrivals, the OECD noted: “In addition to the 6.5 million permanent migrants, the number of temporary migrants and asylum seekers has surged, raising concerns about the impact on host countries’ economies and societies, leading to migration management becoming a critical issue in political discussions and elections.”

These trends unfold amidst increasing anti-immigration sentiments in Western countries, with voters supporting politicians and parties pledging to address illegal immigration levels.

The election of U.S. President Donald Trump was partially driven by his vow to regulate illegal immigration along the southern border.

In Europe, both legal and illegal immigration have become contentious topics, prompting stricter measures and anti-immigration parties gaining traction in various elections.

A recent report from the University of Oxford’s Measuring Irregular Migration (MIrreM) project estimated that up to 3.2 million illegal immigrants reside in 12 European countries.

The report also highlighted the UK as home to the largest population of illegal immigrants, with an estimated 745,000 individuals, constituting one percent of the total population.

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