Tue Dec 17 00:21:00 UTC 2024: ## ILO Report Reveals Surge in International Migrant Workers
**Geneva, Switzerland –** The International Labour Organisation (ILO) released a report on Monday revealing a significant increase in the global number of international migrant workers. The report, “Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers,” found that in 2022, the global stock of international migrants reached 284.5 million, with 167.7 million in the labour force – a 30 million increase since 2013.
The majority of these workers (59.4%) are concentrated in Northern, Southern, and Western Europe; North America; and the Arab States. While Europe and Central Asia saw a slight increase in the proportion of migrant workers in their labour force between 2013 and 2022, North America saw a decrease, potentially due to shifts in migration policies. The Arab States, while still hosting a significant proportion (13.5%), also experienced a slight decrease in the share of international migrant workers in their workforce.
The report highlights significant regional variations. Europe and Central Asia accounted for the largest share of international migrants in the labour force (34.5%), followed by the Americas (27.3%), Asia and the Pacific (16.2%), the Arab States (13.5%), and Africa (8.5%). High-income countries accounted for 68.4% of all international migrant workers in the labour force.
Despite the overall increase, the report notes a persistent gender disparity. Migrant women had an employment-to-population ratio of only 48.1%, compared to 72.8% for migrant men.
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasized the crucial role of migrant workers in addressing global labour shortages and contributing to economic growth. He stressed that ensuring their rights and access to decent work is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity.
First Piper 