This week the “World Migration Report 2011” was released. It is available for purchase or as a free pdf download HERE.
The total 2010 global stock of migrants was 214 million people. This number was up from 191 million in 2005. Whenever internal migrants are taken into account (740 million), about 1 billion people in the world today are migrants, or about 1 in 7 of the total global population.
The issue of migration is one of the most significant issues facing the Church today. While the migration of peoples comes with numerous challenges, it also provides amazing opportunities for gospel advancement.
Today’s post is the first of two related to the “World Migration Report 2011.” Contained within this work was a list of international migration trends. Here are the five which are important to keep in mind and are affecting the movement of peoples.
I. Political transitions in the Middle East and North Africa
There have been many political uprisings throughout the Middle East and North Africa in 2011. These uprisings have been anywhere from peaceful to very violent. Along with the uprisings came mass movements of peoples. Many Asians returned to their home countries and North Africans returned home.
II. Increase in natural disasters and displaced people
In 2010, there was an unusual increase in natural disasters. In that year, over 42 million people were displaced due to sudden-onset natural disasters. There were unusually heavy floods in Pakistan, China, and India, earthquakes in Chile, Japan and Haiti.
III. Overall numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers remain stable
In 2010, it was estimated that there were 15.4 million refugees and 845,800 asylum-seekers across the globe. The total number of refugees increased only slightly in 2010, but the number of new asylum claims decreased. The number of refugees is expected to increase as a result of the instability in North Africa in 2011.
IV. Migration and the global economic crisis: some signs of recovery
The global economic crisis affected countries in different ways. Some countries are experiencing an increase of migrants (e.g., Canada, Germany, United States) and others a decrease (e.g., United Kingdom). Overall, the changes in the labor markets and migration patterns caused by the crisis were relatively short-lived.
V. The relevance of human trafficking
The number of trafficked persons around the globe has remained high and was estimated at 12.3 million in 2010. Across the globe, almost 2 out of 1,000 people are victims of trafficking. In Asia and the Pacific this ratio jumps to 3 out of 1,000 people. There are indications that the international community is taking a more serious perspective of this issue.