The International Organization for Migration (IOM) defines a migrant as any person who moves across the international border or within the state, regardless of legal status, reasons for moving, length of stay and whether this movement is voluntary or forced.
We are now witnessing the highest level of migration movement in history. According to modern estimates, there are 244 million international migrants in the world (or 3.3% of the world's population). In 2000, there were 173 million of them. And by 2050, the number of international migrants is expected to reach 230 million.
Here are the top 10 most accessible countries for migration in the world according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
10. Spain
The number of migrants is 5.9 million people.
Spain is the fifth largest country in Europe; its per capita GDP is just over 30 thousand dollars. The specific share of migrants to the country is large and reaches 13.8% of the total population of the country (slightly less than 3% worldwide).
Most of those who moved to Spain are Hispanics. This is not surprising given the common language, culture, and partly mentality. And in the past few years, due to the deterioration of the political situation in Africa, residents of the “black” continent began to arrive in large numbers in the country. They end up in Spain with a risk to their life, crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
Spain is also popular with European pensioners because of access to the sea, beautiful beaches, beautiful nature and, most importantly, a warm climate.
9. Australia
The number of migrants is 7 million.
The easiest way to get into and settle down in Australia is to be highly skilled workers. A country in which GDP per capita is over 44 thousand dollars can afford it.
The specific number of migrants on the smallest continent on Earth makes up almost a third of the population - 27.7%. The main reason why the country of koalas and kangaroos is so attractive is the good life of its inhabitants. Australia is consistently ranked in the top 20 most prosperous countries in the world. And the Australian government is trying to make the immigration procedure for valuable professionals as quick and easy as possible.
8. Canada
The number of migrants is 7.9 million.
This is the second country in the world (after Russia) in terms of footprint. It is clear that these huge spaces need to be populated by someone, so the Canadian government deliberately relies on attracting as many people as possible to the country. Canadians' GDP is quite high - 44.6 thousand dollars. These numbers attract migrants, so much so that according to statistics, one in five Canadians was born outside the country. In addition to GDP, Canada is tempted by the opportunity to earn good money, get a quality education and medical services.
In accordance with a multi-year plan to attract people from other countries, Canada plans to let in at least a million new residents within its borders from 2018 to 2020.
Immigration should start with training, as students can obtain a permanent residence permit in the country after five years. Moreover, this period includes years spent on obtaining knowledge. In addition, the Canadian government encourages family reunion. So if one migrant succeeded in obtaining citizenship, first-order relatives — parents, children, and spouse — may follow.
7. France
The number of migrants is 7.9 million.
The GDP of the largest country in Western Europe is lower than the Canadian and Australian (about 36 thousand dollars), but the flow of migrants to it is not scanty.
The total specific number of migrants is still relatively small - just over 11% of the population. Visitors like the social benefits to which the French government has become more generous over the past few years, support for childhood and motherhood, a high standard of living, and the ability (after citizenship) to move freely throughout the European Union.
6. United Arab Emirates
The number of migrants is 8.3 million.
Even though the UAE’s GDP is relatively low (only $ 30.9 thousand), it is a gold mine, according to many migrants. Amazingly, they are in the country - almost 84% of the total population! Yes, most of the people living in the Emirates are either migrants or foreigners working in the country.
A developed, stable economy that has risen on the "black gold", large salaries, high quality of life - these are the strengths of this Muslim country. However, not everything is as chic as it looks, given the fact that it is customary to exploit foreign labor in the UAE to the fullest. Many of the workers work longer hours without lunch breaks.
5. UK
The number of migrants is 8.8 million.
Once the British colonized almost half of the globe, and now, as their descendants grimly joke, half of the globe colonizes them. The share of migrants in Foggy Albion exceeded 12% of the total population of the country. The country's economy, although shaken after recent political unrest, is still strong, and the general standard of living is quite high (GDP is about 38 thousand dollars).
True, the British actively resisted the invasion of migrants, and the British government even went to toughen migration laws. However, so far this does not apply to EU citizens, which is what immigrants from Eastern Europe, especially Poland and the Baltic countries, use.
After Brexit (England’s exit from the European Union), the flow of migrants into the country is likely to be greatly reduced, experts predict. This will affect the number of jobs and reduce production.
There was one more way of emigration to the country, which is still free - study. Many students first go to cheaper countries, such as Malaysia, and then, already in the process of receiving education, register in the exchange program. Thus, they end up in England, where they finish their studies for the last couple of years, receive a British certificate of education and can try their luck to obtain permanent residence.
4. Russian Federation
The number of migrants is 11.7 million.
While some dream of leaving Russia, others dream of getting into it. Even considering that the Russian GDP is the lowest in the ranking of the countries most accessible for migration in 2019 - only 24.8 thousand dollars. However, the total percentage of migrants from the entire population of Russia is 7.7%.
Attracted by the "come in large numbers" as a more or less stable economy, and the remnants of the Soviet systems - education, health and infrastructure.
Most of the migrants are residents of the former Soviet republics, especially the Caucasus and Central Asia, who go to Russia to earn money. But the native Russians in the country do not seek to linger. According to statistics, Russia is in third place in the list of countries supplying migrants to other states (after India and Mexico).
By the way, according to the rating of world passports, you can enter 119 countries with a Russian passport without a visa.
3. Germany
The number of migrants is 12.2 million.
In third place among the countries popular among migrants of the world is Germany with a GDP of 41 thousand dollars per unit population. The total number of migrants is about 12% of the total population of the state.
Interesting for applying for German citizenship are both a stable economy and excellent healthcare and a well-developed infrastructure of the country. The German authorities are trying to attract both highly skilled workers and low-skilled labor, as the country's native population is rapidly aging.
2. Saudi Arabia
The number of migrants is 12.2 million.
Like the UAE, Saudi Arabia is an oil country with an appropriate income level. GDP per capita is 31 thousand dollars. Saudi Arabia is so popular with Muslim migrants that every third person you meet on the street in CA is a newcomer.
The government of this country, however, does not welcome migrants and is trying to limit their number. Long before Trump, who dreamed of a wall between the US and Mexico, the Saudis built their version on the border with Yemen. This is a natural concrete wall 1800 km long. However, during the invasion of Yemen, part of it was dismantled.
1. USA
The number of migrants is 49.8 million.
Are you surprised by the fact that the country created by migrants is in first place in terms of the number of people who entered it? And its GDP is the highest in the ranking - 53 thousand dollars.
The country has maintained its reputation as a “Promised Land” for foreigners for many decades. They are attracted by many factors, such as:
- powerful economy;
- the opportunity to receive an education that is highly regarded throughout the world;
- excellent level of healthcare;
- superbly developed infrastructure;
- high quality of life;
- the opportunity to be at home, because in the US there are many migrants from all over the world.
Surprisingly, the proportion of migrants in the United States is not much higher than the result of European countries. Their number barely reaches 14% of the total population of the States. But on a global scale, this share looks much more significant, because every fifth migrant seeks to get to America.
