IOM has released its World Migration Report 2024, its twelfth in the series, which presents data and information on migration trends as well as thematic exploration of salient issues impacting and arising from migration. The report can be read in full, linked below, or read via interactive medium at the IOM website here.

The report notes the impact of global events, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 and conflict in countries including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Sudan, Syria and Yemen, as key drivers of migration and displacement. Overconsumption and overproduction leading to unsustainable economic growth, resource depletion, biodiversity collapse and the climate crisis are also highlighted as having huge consequences for human mobility.

IOM notes the number of international migrants globally has increased over the past fice decades, referring to the 2020 figure when there were an estimated 281 million international migrants (3.6% of the global ppulation). Europe and Asia hosted an estaimted 87 and 86 million international migrants respectively (61% of the global total), followed by North America where the USA remains the main country of destiation for international migrants since 1970. Most migrants are male, with a rising gender gap between male and female migrants.

Looking ahead, IOM flags the risk posed by sustained and "uneven" use of artificial intelligence technology to monitor some migration systems and exacerbate digital divides, as migrants will be forced to engage with state authorities via electronic visa services, border process and identity management, despits many people not having access to this technology. Digital equality will therefore become central to achieving safe, orderly and regular migration.