Megatrend

A Megatrend is a long-term driving force that is observable now and will continue to have a global impact in years to come

The societal and political significance of migration has increased, and its dynamics have become more complex in an interconnected world. Governing migration remains a pressing global and EU challenge. Reasons for migration include differences in opportunities between countries, levels of security, and existing networks, i.e. other migrants from the same origin country. Migrants often send needed financial support to their countries of origin. 

In 2020, an estimated 281 million people were living outside their country of birth, i.e. 3.6 % of the world. This number is almost twice as high as it was in 1990. This reflects that the global population has increased and that the share of people who migrate remains a small minority, although it is increasing - up from 2.8% in 1990. The global stock of international migrants includes not only migrants who move voluntarily, but also 34 million people displaced across borders, such as refugees and asylum-seekers. More recently, the Russian invasion in Ukraine has provoked the largest and fastest displacement of people in post-war Europe, with over 6 million people displaced in the EU by June 2023.

This Megatrend is part of the Megatrends Hub