UAE hosted approximately 3.47 million Indian nationals in 2020 followed by United States (US) with 2.7 million and Saudi Arabia with 2.5 million Indian migrants
In the latest report released by the United Nations (UN), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to stand out as the top destination for Indian migrants. According to the ‘World Migration Report 2024’ by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, the UAE hosted approximately 3.47 million Indian nationals in 2020. This figure surpasses the numbers in other popular migrant destinations, including the United States (US) with 2.7 million and Saudi Arabia with 2.5 million Indian migrants, the Statesman reported citing UN’s ‘World Migration Report 2024.
The report highlights India’s significant role as a recipient of remittances, noting that the country received over $111 billion in 2022. This substantial influx of remittances marks a historic milestone, making India the first nation to exceed the $100 billion mark in a single year. Mexico, China, the Philippines, and France follow India as the top recipients of remittances.
Over the past five decades, the proportion of international migrants in the global population has steadily risen. From 2.3% (84 million) in 1970, it has increased to 3.6% (280 million) in the mid-2020s, underscoring the growing trend of global migration.
The ‘World Migration Report,’ released biennially since 2000, serves as a comprehensive assessment of global migration trends, providing valuable insights into the complexities and challenges faced by migrants and host communities alike
The report emphasizes the significance of migration corridors, with the Mexico-to-US route identified as the largest in the world. Similarly, corridors such as Syria-to-Turkey and Russia-to-Ukraine reflect the impact of civil unrest and military conflicts on displacement and migration patterns.
India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh rank among the top 10 recipients of international remittances, underscoring the pivotal role of labor migration in South Asia. However, the report also highlights the challenges faced by migrant workers, including financial exploitation, excessive debt due to migration costs, xenophobia, and workplace abuse.
Despite being a significant destination for migrants, India itself hosts a considerable immigrant population, ranking thirteenth globally with 4.48 million immigrants.
Moreover, the report sheds light on the influence of climate on internal migration patterns, particularly in regions like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. It notes that remittances from migrants often serve as a crucial lifeline for daily consumption, including food, but changing social structures and traditional gender roles can exacerbate food insecurity, particularly in households headed by women.
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