International Migration: Facing the Challenge

Abstract

International migration is relatively a new phenomenon but is already a global challenge in the 21st century. In 2000 at least 160 million people were living outside their country of birth or citizenship up from an estimated 20 million in 1990. Hence the management of international migration is likely to become more controversial difficult and urgent. Many migrants are refugees seeking protection; guest workers who are expected to depart after years of work; and unauthorized or illegal foreigners who enter and settle in defiance of immigration laws. To further understand this phenomenon this bulletin of the Population Reference Bureau explains the reasons for international migration controversy of such migration and how migration can be managed more effectively in the 21st century. It also includes statistics on migration in selected countries and regions.