UN migration agency says 304M currently live outside their country of birth
IOM says stronger systems needed to protect people on move, support host communities
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 on Thursday as the world marked 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 in a statement. "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."
According to the IOM, in 2024, migrants sent an estimated $905 billion in international remittances, mostly to low- and middle-income countries, helping families cover food, education and medical care.
It said migrants contribute skills, creativity and entrepreneurship that strengthen local economies, with labor migrants supporting key sectors including healthcare, construction, agriculture and technology, particularly in countries with aging populations.
At the same time, the IOM warned of growing challenges. By the end of 2024, 83.4 million people were internally displaced due to conflict, violence and disasters, while many migrants face dangerous journeys because of limited regular pathways.
The Mediterranean Sea remains one of the "world's deadliest" migration routes, with more than 33,000 recorded deaths since 2014, the IOM said, calling for stronger migration systems to ensure safety, dignity and shared benefits for both migrants and host communities.
In a post on the US social media platform X, the World Health Organization marked the day by saying "no journey should end in tragedy."
"Since 2014, nearly 80,000 people have died on migration journeys. Most remain unidentified, leaving families in endless uncertainty," the UN health agency said. "Let’s ensure safe, regular, dignified migration. Protect their rights to health, prevent more deaths."
