Among all categories of permanent migration to OECD countries, partially available data show that family migration experienced the largest decline in 2020 by more than 35 per cent ( ibid.). In 2020, permanent migration inflows to OECD countries are estimated to have fallen by more than 30 per cent and 2020 was a historical low for migration to OECD countries since 2003 ( OECD, 2021).
Assuming zero-growth in the number of migrants between 1 March and 1 July 2020, estimates suggest a decrease of nearly 2 million international migrants compared to the initially expected increase between mid-2019 and mid-2020 ( UN DESA, 2020). At the same time, 201 countries, territories or areas have issued 998 exceptions to these restrictions, thus enabling mobility ( ibid.). Between 10 March 2020, a day before the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and 4 October 2021, 109,591 movement restrictions were implemented around the world ( IOM, 2021a). īack to top Key migration trends By theme Changes in flows and migrant stocksĬOVID-related restrictions have an impact on the mobility of migrants and the role of humanitarian organizations. For key trends by region on the impact of COVID-19, please see our regional data overviews. For information by country, please see here and below the map for key indicators on migration and demography. As information related to the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly evolving, figures and other data will be updated on a regular basis. This page discusses data on migrants that can inform how they are potentially both affected by the impact of COVID-19 and are part of the response to the pandemic. Compared to the global share of international migrants making up 3.6 per cent of the total population, international migrants are overrepresented in these countries. As of 10 October 2021, emigrants from the 20 countries with the highest number of COVID-19 cases accounted for 33 per cent of the total international migrant stock and they had sent an estimated 41 per cent of all remittances globally to their countries of origin in 2020 (GMDAC analysis based on UN DESA, 2020 World Bank 2021a WHO, 2021) 1. Immigrants accounted for at least 3.7 per cent of the population in 13 of the 20 countries with the highest number of COVID-19 cases, and this share is more than 8 per cent in 9 of these countries (GMDAC analysis based on UN DESA, 2020 WHO, 2021). Migrants – particularly in lower paid jobs and in irregular situations – may be both more affected by and vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19, but migrants also play an important role in the response to COVID-19 by working in critical sectors.