- Immigrant Times
- Nov 7
- 5 min read
Migration has become an integral part of the global economy and labour market
Migration remains a demographic lifeline for ageing societies. Projections show that without sustained inflows, many countries would see shrinking workforces within a decade. Immigrants are also 1.3 times more likely than native-born citizens to start a business.
A review of the OECD International Migration Outlook 2025 *
Nearly 77 per cent of immigrants were economically active in 2024, with an employment rate of 71 per cent and unemployment below 10 per cent.
November 2025: International migration to advanced economies remains near record highs, even as overall permanent inflows eased slightly in 2024, according to the OECD International Migration Outlook 2025, released this month in Paris. The 38-nation study paints a complex picture of human mobility in a post-pandemic world, where family reunification and humanitarian crises drive ever-growing movement, while student and labour migration face new constraints.
The report estimates that 6.2 million people obtained permanent-type residence in OECD countries in 2024, only about four per cent fewer than the previous year’s historic peak. That level remains roughly 15 per cent higher than in 2019, underscoring migration’s enduring scale.
Temporary labour flows, meanwhile, stayed exceptionally high, with about 2.3 million work permits issued, while humanitarian and asylum arrivals surged by more than 20 per cent. “We are witnessing migration as a structural feature of the global economy rather than a temporary recovery,” the OECD noted.
From, to
The geography of migration remains sharply concentrated. Ten countries accounted for much of the world’s movement into the OECD, reflecting both economic opportunity and displacement pressures.
Top 10 origin countries (2023)
India – 602,000
China – 368,000
Romania – 244,000
Colombia – 227,000
Mexico – 217,000
Morocco – 203,000
Syria – 194,000
Philippines – 192,000
Russia – 179,000
Afghanistan – 173,000
The list spans every continent. India and China dominate skilled-worker and student migration; Romania, Morocco and the Philippines illustrate established labour corridors, while Syria and Afghanistan continue to drive humanitarian inflows. Colombia and Mexico, increasingly important sources of migration to North America and southern Europe, round out the top ten.
Top 10 destination countries (2024)
United States – 1,425,000
Germany – 586,000
Canada – 484,000
United Kingdom – 436,000
Spain – 368,000
France – 298,000
Australia – 239,000
Netherlands – 183,000
Japan – 177,000
Italy – 169,000
The United States remains the world’s largest immigration destination, hosting roughly a third of all foreign-born residents in the OECD. Germany anchors Europe’s intake, while Canada, the UK and Spain have maintained strong growth. Japan’s appearance reflects its quiet demographic revolution: a steady expansion of worker visas amid labour shortages and an ageing population.
Composition of migration
The OECD notes that family migration now represents about 43 per cent of all permanent entries, reaffirming its status as the largest category. Permanent labour migration, by contrast, dropped 21 per cent in 2024 after several years of expansion, as governments tightened work-visa systems and targeted ‘high-skill’ profiles.
Humanitarian migration rose sharply, and student migration fell: about 1.8 million international students entered OECD countries in 2024, 13 per cent fewer than the year before. Policy changes in the UK, Australia and Canada, linked to housing shortages and system reforms, help explain the decline.
Work and wages
Employment outcomes remain broadly positive. Nearly 77 per cent of immigrants were economically active in 2024, with an employment rate of 71 per cent and unemployment below 10 per cent. Still, newcomers earn less: on average, first-generation migrants earn about 34 per cent less than comparable native-born workers.
Much of that gap, says the OECD, stems from migrants’ concentration in lower-paid sectors and firms. Yet migrants also fill vital shortages, in healthcare, construction, logistics and IT, where many host economies struggle to recruit locally.
The report calls for better recognition of foreign qualifications and improved access to training. “Integration policies are as critical as admission policies,” the OECD emphasised. “Migrants who find jobs matching their skills contribute faster to growth and social cohesion.”
Balancing politics and policy
The Outlook 2025 acknowledges rising political tension around migration management. Many OECD governments are pursuing a dual strategy: remaining open to skilled labour while tightening conditions elsewhere. Germany and Canada have reformed pathways to make credential recognition quicker, while France and the UK have proposed new salary or language thresholds.
Despite these adjustments, public concern about migration levels persists, especially where housing and public services are under strain. Yet the data show that migrants continue to be economic contributors. Across 25 OECD countries, immigrants are 1.3 times more likely than native-born citizens to start a business. Each additional working-age migrant, the OECD estimates, generates around 0.2 new jobs through demand and entrepreneurship effects.
Demographics and development links
Migration remains a demographic lifeline for ageing societies. OECD projections show that without sustained inflows, many member states would see shrinking workforces within a decade.
For countries of origin, the story is more nuanced. Nations such as India, the Philippines and Morocco depend heavily on remittances, while others, including Romania and Colombia, face the risk of losing skilled professionals. The OECD suggests partnerships on circular migration and skills recognition could make mobility more mutually beneficial.
Fazit
Despite a modest slowdown, the message of the International Migration Outlook 2025 is clear: international migration has become a permanent feature of modern economies. The challenge now is not the scale of migration itself, but how societies manage it.
“The question is no longer whether OECD countries need migrants, they clearly do,” the report concludes, “but how to ensure migration works better for economies and communities alike.”
As governments adjust to shifting demographics, humanitarian crises and global labour demands, migration will remain a defining force shaping both origin and destination countries, and the lives of millions moving between them.
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* The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international forum where 38 democratic countries with market economies collaborate to shape better policies for better lives. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Paris, the OECD emerged from post-war reconstruction efforts and has since evolved into a global hub for data-driven policy dialogue. Its members include most EU nations, the United States, Japan, and other high-income countries committed to democratic values and open markets.
The OECD’s core mission is to promote economic growth, stability, and improved living standards through evidence-based policymaking. It collects and analyses data across a wide range of domains, from taxation and education to climate and digital governance, offering comparative insights and international benchmarks. Its reports and recommendations often influence national reforms and global standards.
In the migration space, the OECD plays a pivotal role by tracking trends, evaluating integration policies, and gauging public attitudes across member states.
Further reading: Remittances from immigrants in the US || Italy needs immigrants || Immigrant workers boost Spanish economy || Undocumented Immigrants contribute billions ||
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