Migration to economically robust nations hit an unprecedented high in 2023, with around 6.5 million people moving to the 38 OECD member states, according to a report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
This marked a nearly 10% jump from the previous record set in 2022, when 6 million migrants were recorded.
The surge in migration affected countries like Great Britain, Canada, France, and Japan the most. Remarkably, the UK overtook the United States as the top destination for migrants for the first time. A significant factor in this shift was Britain’s recruitment in the healthcare sector, which resulted in a net immigration of 750,000 people, as reported by the Financial Times.
Experts have highlighted the economic benefits of this migration wave, noting it played a key role in addressing inflationary pressures following the pandemic. However, not everyone is thrilled. Public dissatisfaction has grown, and in several nations, governments have seen their approval ratings plummet—some even lost power altogether.
Migration has also remained a hot-button issue in U.S. politics. During the election battle between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, immigration was front and center. Trump’s campaign pushed for aggressive action against illegal migration, promising sweeping changes if he returns to the presidency.
The debate over migration continues to shape economies and politics alike, underscoring its complex role in modern society.
