Rethinking Urban Migration: Policy Options for Cities in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

The potential challenges associated with migration to cities have justifiably received much attention. But they may obscure the significant opportunities that migration also offers for receiving communities seeking to boost economic development. This report is an invitation to rethink urban migration, paying due attention to the opportunities for local economies that emerge with the arrival of both internal and international migrants and encouraging policymakers to capitalize on them. By tailoring policies to specific contexts and bridging short-term constraints with long-term solutions, cities can leverage the skills and diversity migrants bring, fostering innovation, productivity growth, and prosperity for all. The pages of this report offer guidance on how to go about this task.