Migration in the news this week (December 4, 2014)
After the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published their latest International Migration Outlook on Monday, shifting trends in global migrant levels dominated news headlines around the world.
Germany tops migrant destination tables
Germany is now the second most popular migrant destination in the OECD, according to the new report, topped only by the United States.
Europe’s largest economy gained a total of 399,900 permanent migrants in 2012, still some way behind American migration figures which reached 1,031,000.
The nation saw an overall 40% increase in immigration in 2012, continuing the rising trend it has seen since the eurozone crisis in 2007. In the five years following the crisis, migration rose by 72%.
This news comes as Germany continues to debate migrant take-up of welfare benefits. Our author Corrado Giulietti writes that welfare is not a key driver of migration, and that employment and wage levels tend to attract greater migrant inflows.
Sweden named highest per capita recipient of asylum seekers
The number of asylum seekers arriving in OECD countries rose by 20% in 2013, mainly driven by the war in Syria.
The OECD report showed that 556,000 people sought asylum in the OECD in 2013. Almost a fifth of these arrived in Germany.
However, on a per capita level, Sweden obtained by far the most asylum seekers. The country received 5,700 asylum seekers for every million residents.
These rising inflows are putting increased pressure on public finances, but government officials are assuring natives that the peak is temporary.
Pia Orrenius discusses the need to regularly evaluate border enforcement measures to consider the current drivers of migration.
Lebanese migration levels reach crisis point
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Foreign Affairs Committee has acknowledged increased migration flows into the country amid the raging war in Syria.
The enormous migration flows accompany growing extremism in the region, which is causing concern among natives.
When questioned over the rising inflows, Prime Minister Tammam Saeb Salam said that: "Lebanon will need more humanitarian aid and financial support."
Holger Hinte notes the need for active migration and integration policies when attempting to balance net fiscal effects of migration.
Thursday 18th December marks International Migrants Day, which aims to promote discussion on the human rights and freedoms of migrants around the world.
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Related articles:
The welfare magnet hypothesis and welfare take-up of migrants, by Corrado Giulietti
Enforcement and illegal migration, by Pia Orrenius
What determines the net fiscal effects of migration? by Holger Hinte