Title  International Migration Outlook 2024
Authors  OCDE
Editor  OECD Publishing
Date  2025 

More information regarding the report here. 

Summary: 

This publication constitutes the 49th report of the OECD’s Continuous Reporting System on Migration. The report is divided into six chapters plus a statistical annex. Chapter 1 provides a broad overview of recent
trends in international migration flows. It also analyses recent changes on the labour market inclusion of immigrants in OECD countries. Chapter 2 monitors recent changes in migration policies, while Chapter 3 looks at the recent changes in policies that support the integration of immigrants and their children. Chapter 4 looks at the role of firms in immigrant integration. It sheds new light on the role of firms in shaping the immigrant earnings gap using linked employer-employee data for 15 OECD countries. The chapter starts by documenting the immigrant earnings gap at entry in the labour market and the extent to which it is driven by immigrants working disproportionately in lower-paying firms, industries and occupations. It then analyses how the earnings gap evolves as immigrants integrate into the labour market by moving to better-paying firms, industries and occupations. The implications for immigrant integration policy are discussed in the conclusion. Chapter 5 is the result of a co-operation between the OECD and the WHO in the context of the “Working for Health” programme. It examines the evolution of international migration of health professionals, specifically doctors and nurses, to OECD countries since 2000/01, in the context of growing workforce shortages and increasing global competition for talent. The chapter considers the implications for countries of origin, including the risk of brain drain, and highlights the importance of ethical recruitment practices. Finally, it explores recent changes in migration policies affecting health professionals, as well as developments in the recognition of foreign qualifications and licensing across the OECD. Chapter 6 presents succinct country-specific notes and statistics on developments in international migration movements and policies in OECD and selected non-OECD countries in recent years. Lastly, the statistical annex includes a broad selection of recent and historical statistics on immigrant flows, asylum requests, foreign and foreign-born populations, and naturalisation.

Key-Findings: 

1. In 2024, more than 160 million people living in OECD countries were foreign-born. Since 2014, the share of foreign-born rose from 9.1% to 11.5%;

2. In most OECD countries, permanent migration declined in 2024 compared to 2023, namely in EU countries. New Zealand and the United Kingdom also experienced sharp declines after record levels post-pandemic. In contrast, permanent migration to the United States continued to rise (+20%);

3. The number of new seasonal migrants and working holidaymakers increased in 2024 (+8% and +4%). In contrast, the number of migrants participating in national temporary foreign worker programmes decreased (‑7%), after strong growth post COVID‑19 pandemic. Inflows of intra-company transferees continued to decline (‑3%) in 2024;

4. More than half of the 3 million asylum applications in the OECD were registered in the United States in 2024. Top origin countries of applicants included Venezuela, Colombia, Syria, Afghanistan and India;