GENEVA, Switzerland – International migrants are crucial to the global workforce, representing 4.7 percent of the labour market in 2022, as highlighted in the latest report from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The ILO’s Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers reveal that 167.7 million migrants were integrated into the labour forces of their host countries in 2022. This figure includes 102.7 million men and 64.9 million women, marking an increase of over 30 million since 2013, predominantly occurring from 2013 to 2019.
High-income countries housed the majority of these migrant workers, with 68.4 percent amounting to 114.7 million individuals, while upper-middle-income countries accounted for 17.4 percent, or 29.2 million migrants.
Regional Insights
Migrant workers predominantly resided in Northern, Southern, and Western Europe; Northern America; and the Arab States. Notably, the proportion of migrants in the labour force from Northern, Southern, and Western Europe rose from 22.5 percent in 2013 to 23.3 percent in 2022, contrasting with slight declines in Northern America and the Arab States.
Labour Market Dynamics
Out of the 167.7 million international migrants in the labour force, 155.6 million were employed, while 12.1 million were without jobs. Gender disparities are evident, with migrant women showing an employment-to-population ratio of just 48.1 percent versus 72.8 percent for men.
The unemployment rate for migrants stands at 7.2 percent, exceeding that of non-migrants at 5.2 percent. Furthermore, migrant women face a higher unemployment rate of 8.7 percent compared to 6.2 percent for their male counterparts. Factors such as language barriers, unrecognized qualifications, discrimination, limited childcare, and gender-specific expectations significantly impede employment prospects for women.
The Role of Care and Services
A substantial 68.4 percent of migrant workers are engaged in the services sector, outpacing the 51.5 percent of non-migrant workers. This trend underscores the global demand for care and domestic jobs, especially among women, with 28.8 percent of migrant women and 12.4 percent of migrant men employed in the care economy, compared to 19.2 percent of non-migrant women and 6.2 percent of non-migrant men.
Addressing Migrant Workers’ Needs
The report emphasizes the complexities surrounding labour migration and the critical need for targeted strategies to support international migrants. These policies should focus on improving access to decent employment and safeguarding migrants’ rights. Given that many migrants work in high-demand sectors, ensuring equitable access to job opportunities is essential for fostering sustainable development and inclusive labour markets.
“Migrant workers are vital to alleviating global labour shortages and driving economic growth,” stated the ILO director-general. “Guaranteeing their rights and access to quality work is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity.”
