The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has highlighted that millions of people across Asia are migrating “not by choice, but out of necessity,” driven by widespread deprivation of economic, social, and cultural rights. Poverty, unemployment, inadequate public services, and climate-related stress are undermining livelihoods, leaving many with little alternative but to seek opportunities elsewhere. Cynthia Veliko, head of the OHCHR Regional Office for South-East Asia, emphasized that migration should be a voluntary decision rather than a response to desperation, noting that the absence of basic rights such as decent work, education, and healthcare forces many into unsafe migration and exploitation.
In 2024, over 72 million international migrants originated from the region, marking a nearly 13 percent increase from 2020. The report notes that youth and women are particularly vulnerable, facing high unemployment, low wages, gender-based discrimination, and climate disruptions affecting agriculture and informal work. Rising food and energy costs, alongside depreciating local currencies, are placing additional strain on households that already spend over half their income on essentials, prompting migration as a survival strategy. The human cost is severe: at least 2,514 migrants died across Asia in 2024, the highest recorded toll for the region and a 59 percent increase from the previous year.
A central concern is the growing sense of “futurelessness” in parts of the region, where people no longer see a viable path to a dignified life at home. Ms. Veliko stressed that access to education, healthcare, decent work, and a healthy environment are fundamental human rights that states must uphold to ensure dignity and equality. She called for governments to invest in inclusive public services and equitable resource distribution to address these challenges.
The OHCHR also highlighted the hidden social costs of remittances, which, while vital for many families and national economies, often mask deeper societal impacts. Remittances are frequently used to cover basic needs, leaving little for education or long-term stability. Families are affected by separation, elderly relatives may lose care, and communities lose working-age adults, reflecting the profound personal sacrifices behind migration.
To address these issues, the UN office urged origin countries to prioritize public investment in health, education, job creation, and environmental protection while reducing inequality through inclusive economic policies. It also recommended that destination countries expand safe and regular migration pathways and that international financial institutions align fiscal and debt policies with human rights obligations. The office concluded that while migration will always occur, adequate rights and opportunities at home can ensure that it becomes a genuine choice rather than a desperate last resort.
