Migration and Development

Although development is a widely used term, it often lacks clear definition. Its meaning has been variously interpreted in the past two centuries, but in general, development means growth, progress and a process of positive change (Lélé, 1991). At the end of the 1980s, however, the concept of sustainability started to accompany the definition of development. It became clear that development may have unintended consequences for future generations, such as the deterioration of the environment. It can affect the socioeconomic welfare of specific groups of people, who, for a variety of reasons, do not benefit from development in the ways that other groups do. As such, the concept of sustainable development is defined as progress that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (World Commission on Environment and Development [WCED], 1987).

Migration plays a role in the redistribution of resources, which in turn, can contribute to the achievement of development in a sustainable way. A holistic approach across all levels of government is indispensable to turn current migration trends into engines of sustainable development. However, until recently, policy approaches to migration have often focused only on specific aspects of the nexus. These approaches often consider the nexus as one directional, assuming that migration mostly occurs from low- to high-income countries, while thinking of development in the context of developed and developing countries. Recently, however, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, have provided the framework for a more thorough understanding of the complex relationship between migration and sustainable development, and the opportunities that it provides.

Migration has the potential to trigger growth and progress in countries of origin, transit and destination. This occurs in many ways, socially, culturally and economically, through monetary and sociocultural remittances, knowledge transfer, circular migration, trade, investment and innovation. In the context of policy development, it is crucial to frame the idea of development in terms of social and environmental sustainability and equity. Otherwise, migration policies may have unintended consequences for development. This is particularly true when there is a lack of public funds and programmes to address social exclusion and discrimination against vulnerable groups, including migrants.

In countries of origin, poorly managed migration and sustainable development policies can fail to generate employment, result in brain drain and risks for family members left behind. In countries of transit and destination, such policies can impact house pricing and rent, the creation of slums and the lowering of working conditions for all (Serageldin, Vigier and Larsen, 2014). For some countries, the distinction between origin and destination is blurred, as some countries of origin can also be countries of destination for other migrants. These countries can face a wider variety of issues due to this dual reality. Discriminatory practices, deterioration of the land, further reduction of livelihood standards and other reasons to migrate can occur when development ignores either social or environmental considerations. For these reasons, migration can only boost sustainable development if governed within a holistic approach of sustainable development.

Understanding the complexity of the migration–sustainable development nexus has very important policy implications. It helps policymakers to not only think about how migration can work for development, or how development can prevent migration. Instead, policymakers can focus on how to make development policies sustainable for a successful migration, while ensuring that migration policies are responsive to a sustainable model of development. This is the core principle of mainstreaming migration into development planning (see Developing migration policy).

Mainstreaming migration into policy planning begins with an understanding of the way migration interacts with other policy sectors. It aims to build coordination mechanisms with those other policy sectors to ensure that migration is considered in the design and development strategies of those policy sectors. It promotes coordinated and sustainable policy designs that can build on the favourable facets of the migration–sustainable development nexus while mitigating its negative implications. In this sense, the mainstreaming process elucidates the importance of coordination at all levels, from the international to the local.

To undertake a mainstreaming exercise, policymakers require an understanding of migration dynamics, characteristics and trends. Hence, all countries of destination, transit and origin should collect data on migration that are disaggregated by sex, age, origin, nationality, migration status, education levels and cultural elements such as religion, ethnicity and language proficiency. Most countries collect such data on a regular basis through national or local data collection mechanisms (such as censuses, surveys, administrative data). However, additional data might be required which can be collected in an ad hoc manner, perhaps through comprehensive studies, that are often qualitative (see Data, research and analysis for policymaking).

Data related to migrants’ integration can also help shape national policy responses that contribute to a positive experience for both migrants and the countries involved (see Integration and social cohesion). These data include information on remittances, entrepreneurship and job creation, and diasporas (such as the number of associations and members, collective remittances). Geographical data are also key to addressing urban and rural strategic planning. Therefore, countries should also gather data on migrants’ residences (for instance, are they urban or rural); on the concentration of migrants’ economic activities in specific areas; and on attitudes towards migration, disaggregated at national, local and district level.

In order to design effective policies on migration and sustainable development, different data are needed beyond national or local sources. Regional and global data are needed to increase the availability of comparable data. These types of data are also useful since migration does not only occur within a country but also across an international border. At the regional and global levels, there are already some important databases that can be used by policymakers and other stakeholders. These include:

• The IOM Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) Migration Data Portal, which aims to provide timely, comprehensive migration statistics and reliable information about migration data globally.
• The World Bank provides regularly updated data on the cost of sending and receiving remittances which are often initiated by migrant workers.
• The Pacific Community offers regional data and tools on Pacific Islands countries and territories, aiming at improving data accessibility and utilization.
• The European Union publishes statistics via EUROSTAT that also includes data on migration. The European Commission Knowledge Centre on Migration and Demography Portal also provides independent scientific evidence to inform European policymakers. In addition to a data hub and tools, it offers analysis on topics such as international migration drivers, integration or migration profiles.
• The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC/CEPAL) provides data and statistics on social and economic development in the region, including through CEPALSTAT. Further, the United Nations regional commission regularly publishes information on migration in the region through this webpage, which provides access to reports, databases focused on migration, briefs, infographics, news and more.
• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations publishes, through ASEANstats, its statistical yearbook and other interactive data portals relating to migration.

The legal and normative framework on international migrants and development cannot be found in one single human rights convention. Instead, this framework is laid out over a range of instruments and related principles, including:

The link between migration and sustainable development has become increasingly important in international discourse. Starting from the 1994 Cairo Conference on Population and Development, several international forums have addressed this link. International working groups, such as the United Nations Global Migration Group (GMG), have also contributed to shaping the agenda. At a national level, several countries have put in place dedicated ministries to engage with their diasporas and develop relevant policies. The turning point has been the inclusion of migration in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Previously absent from the Millennium Development Goals, the link between migration and sustainable development is now embedded into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (see also Initiatives and commitments addressing migration).

Originally, few Inter-State Consultation mechanisms on migration (ISCM) considered the migration–sustainable development nexus as an area of focus. However, this has become a major topic. Almost every inter-State policy dialogue, in one way or another, addresses issues of migration and sustainable development. Examples of forums that specially target the topic include: