UN Migration Agency Reports 304 Million Living Outside Birth Countries, Calls for Safer Migration Systems

GENEVA: An estimated 304 million people, nearly 4% of the global population, currently live outside their country of birth, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Thursday as the world observed International Migrants Day.

“Migration is woven into the lives of families and communities everywhere. It is a story of courage, determination, and the ties that bind us across borders,” IOM Director General Amy Pope said. “Today, we honor the people who set out in search of safety and opportunity and call for global solidarity in shaping fair and inclusive systems that protect them. When migration is managed with dignity and purpose, it benefits everyone.”

In 2024, migrants sent an estimated $905 billion in international remittances, primarily to low- and middle-income countries, supporting families in covering food, education, and medical care, the IOM reported.

Migrants also contribute valuable skills, entrepreneurship, and creativity, strengthening local economies and supporting critical sectors such as healthcare, construction, agriculture, and technology, particularly in countries with aging populations.

Despite these contributions, the IOM warned of growing challenges. By the end of 2024, 83.4 million people were internally displaced due to conflict, violence, and disasters. Many migrants continue to face perilous journeys due to limited safe and regular migration pathways.

The Mediterranean Sea remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes, with more than 33,000 recorded deaths since 2014, the IOM noted. The agency called for stronger migration systems to ensure safety, dignity, and shared benefits for both migrants and host communities.

On the same day, the World Health Organization (WHO) marked International Migrants Day on the US social media platform X, emphasizing that “no journey should end in tragedy.” Since 2014, nearly 80,000 people have died during migration, most of whom remain unidentified, leaving families in prolonged uncertainty. The WHO urged governments and organizations to ensure safe, regular, and dignified migration while protecting migrants’ right to health.