The Globalization of Migration: Has the World Become More Migratory?

Abstract

Although it is commonly believed that the volume, diversity, geographical scope, and overall complexity of international migration have increased as part of globalization processes, this idea has remained largely untested. This article analyzes shifts in global migration patterns between 1960 and 2000 using indices that simultaneously capture changes in the spread, distance, and intensity of migration. While the results challenge the idea that there has been a global increase in volume, diversity, and geographical scope of migration, main migratory shifts have been directional. Migration has globalized from a destination country perspective but hardly from an origin country perspective, with migrants from an increasingly diverse array of non‐European‐origin countries concentrating in a shrinking pool of prime destination countries. The global migration map has thus become more skewed. Rather than refuting the globalization of migration hypothesis, this seems to reflect the asymmetric nature of globalization processes in general.

Legal status diversity: regulating to control and everyday contingencies

“…Evidence so far suggests that policies can alter migration patterns albeit not always -and some might say never -in the intended ways (Boswell 2011;Castles 2004;Czaika and Haas 2013). One pertinent aspect in this area of research is the composition of migrant populations and patterns of migrants coming and going (Czaika and Haas 2014). However, available migration status data tends to stop at national borders.…”

Estimates of Global Bilateral Migration Flows by Gender between 1960 and 20151

“…A growing literature of work has developed based on bilateral migrant stock data (Beine, Doquier, and Özden, 2011;Czaika and Haas, 2014) to explain changes in contemporary migration patterns.…”

Beyond 'Fortress Europe': Principles for a humane EU migration policy

“…In recent times, the global rate of migration has held steady since the 1960s, with international migrants accounting for approximately three percent of the world population. 15 Migration is not a threat to be stopped; it is a complex phenomenon to be managed for the benefit and safety of all involved. Even when migration is caused by acute crises which result in large and sudden movements as people flee from danger, those displaced should be considered first as people in need of protection and whose rights need to be respected.…”