Migration is a Form of Development: The Need for Innovation to Regulate Migration for Mutual Benefit
By reviewing evidence from recent economic research, this paper argues that migration is both a driver and a consequence of economic development. In undergoing economic transformation and demographic transition, most countries experience increased emigration rates. As such, migration is often a sign of successful, not failed, development. However, the beneficial effects of international migration for countries of destination and origin are far from automatic. To ensure that the potential benefits of migration are maximized and widely shared, governments need to develop appropriate regulations and innovative policies. One such innovation, the paper argues, are “global skills partnerships”, which strengthen the workforce in developing countries for both migrants and nonmigrants while offering legal pathways to migrants who fill gaps in labour markets in destination countries. Recognizing that migration pressures are as unstoppable as development itself, the paper offers three areas where specific pilot projects may be fruitful.
Reading Development 