Migration must be managed in ways that protect people and support the communities that receive them, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said as the world marked International Migrants Day on 18 December, according to a statement. This year’s theme, “My Great Story: Cultures and Development,” focuses on how people on the move enrich societies, fuel economies, and connect communities across borders. IOM is pushing back against narratives of fear, stressing that migration is fundamentally a story of opportunity and shared progress.
“Migration is woven into the lives of families and communities everywhere. It is a story of courage, determination, and the ties that bind us across borders,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. She called for “global solidarity” to build fair, inclusive systems that protect people on the move. Around 304 million people—nearly 4% of the world’s population—now live outside their country of birth, moving for work, safety, education, and family.
Migrants are keeping key sectors running, from health care and agriculture to construction and tech, especially in countries with aging populations. Their remittances are a lifeline: in 2024, migrants sent home an estimated 905 billion dollars, most of it to low- and middle-income countries. Families use this money for food, school, and medical care—often in amounts that outweigh foreign aid and investment. Beyond finances, migrants bring new ideas, build business networks, and reshape cultural life in the places they settle.
But the risks many migrants face are growing. By the end of 2024, 83.4 million people were internally displaced by conflict, violence, or disasters, and new crises kept piling on. While most movement is regular and relatively safe, limited legal pathways push many into dangerous routes, including desert crossings and overcrowded boats. The Mediterranean Sea remains one of the deadliest corridors, with more than 33,000 recorded deaths since 2014.
IOM stresses that every journey is different, but the need for safety and dignity is the same. Stronger systems that support people before, during, and after movement can turn migration into a real engine for development while protecting rights. For IOM, that means countries working together to expand safe pathways, cut risks along migration routes, and ensure people on the move are seen not as threats, but as neighbors and partners.
