International Migration Outlook 2021

Facts & figures

COVID-19 has led to a record drop in Despite a massive drop, asylum seeking
migration flows remained at high levels
Permanent migration to OECD countries dropped by over 30% New asylum applications fell by 31% in 2020; the sharpest drop
in 2020, to about 3.7 million – the lowest level since 2003. since the end of the Balkan crisis in the early 1990s. However,
the number remained above any year before 2014 except 1992.
2.0 Estimates
2 000 000
New asylum applications in OECD countries
OECD
1.5 1 500 000
Family
1 000 000
Millions

1.0 Free
movement
500 000
0.5 Work EU
0
Humanitarian
0.0 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
2014 2016 2018 2020
Source: Eurostat, UNHCR

Migrant employment has bounced back Women account for more than half
Employment rates of of resident migrants in most countries
Q2 2019 Q2 2020 Q4 2020
foreign-born, %
% of female immigrants residing in selected countries
45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
UK 52.1% Sweden 49.6%
Switzerland Canada
United Kingdom 52.4%
Australia
Canada
Germany 49.4%
United States France Turkey 52.4%
Colombia United 51.9%
Sweden States 51.3% Israel
France 54.7%
Spain Costa Rica Italy Australia
50.2% 53.7% 51.3%
Source: National household and labour force surveys

Migrants are concentrated Migrants contribute more in taxes than they

in urban areas receive in benefits, health & education
% of foreign-born in working age population Urban areas
35 Revenue Expenditure
Other areas
Other Other (excl. general Education
30 public services & defence)
Employer
25 social
contributions
20
2.5 trillion 2.0 trillion
15
USD* USD* Health
10

5 Old age
Indirect taxes
0 e.g. VAT Direct taxes & social Other social
contributions protection
Canada Germany UK US France Spain Italy
Source: National household and labour force surveys *Total across 25 OECD countries, 2017