International migrants show an upward trend across the world

According to a report released by the United Nations (U.N) last month, the number of international migrants was approximately 272 million this year which is an increase of 51 million since 2010. According to the report international migrants contribute to 3.5% percent of the global population compared to 2.8% in 2000.

This information is based on the data released by the International Migrant Stock 2019, part of the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). This report provides data on the number of international migrants by age, sex and country of origin in all areas of the world.

The report says Europe has the largest number of migrants at 82 million followed by Northern America at 59 million. The maximum number of migrants reside in just 10 countries with the US leading the list at 51 million followed by Germany and Saudi Arabia  at  13 million, the Russian Federation  at 12 million, the United Kingdom  at 10 million,  the United Arab Emirates at 9 million, France, Canada and Australia with  8 million each and Italy at 6 million.

 A third of these international migrants come from only ten countries with India leading the list.

The share of international migrants in the total population also varies across different geographical regions. The highest percentage was in Australia and New Zealand at 21.2%, Northern America at 16%, Latin America and the Caribbean at 1.8%. The lowest percentages were recorded in Central and Southern Asia at 1.0% and Eastern and South-Eastern Asia at 0.8%.

As far as the age of migrants is concerned, one out of seven migrants are below 20 years of age. This comprises 14 percent of the migrant population. 74 percent of this migrant population were of working age i.e. between 20 and 64 years.

According to the UN, this data will be useful to understand the role of migrants and migration in the development of countries.