The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released the World Migration Report 2026, underscoring how safe and regular migration pathways shape economies, societies, and communities worldwide. The report warns that restricting legal migration channels increases risks for migrants, raises costs for States, and reduces the broader benefits migration can provide.
Migration continues to play a major role in the global economy, with an estimated 304 million international migrants by mid‑2024, representing 3.7% of the world’s population. Migrant workers have grown by more than 30 million between 2013 and 2022. Financial contributions remain significant, with remittances projected to reach $905 billion in 2024, including $685 billion to low‑ and middle‑income countries—exceeding official development assistance and foreign direct investment combined.
Despite these benefits, access to migration opportunities remains uneven. Higher‑income countries offer more pathways, while lower‑income contexts face limited options. At the same time, global displacement has reached record levels, with over 120 million people displaced by the end of 2024, including 83.4 million internally displaced—the highest number ever recorded. Displacement is driven by conflict, environmental pressures, and structural vulnerabilities, requiring long‑term development approaches alongside humanitarian aid.
The report cautions that narrowing migration pathways risks pushing movement into more dangerous channels, increasing human and economic costs. It calls for expanding safe and regular pathways, reducing remittance costs, supporting skills mobility, and strengthening regional cooperation.
Finally, IOM emphasizes the need for better data and inclusive, evidence‑based policies to manage migration effectively in a changing global landscape. By sustaining safe pathways and fostering cooperation, countries can maximize the benefits of migration while reducing risks for migrants and societies alike.
