Contrary to expectations, although the financial crises in Asia have had a major impact on migration movements within that region, they have not led to significant increases in emigration to OECD countries. This report presents an analysis of recent trends in migration movements and policies in OECD countries as well as in certain non-member countries. It includes a detailed description of the flows, the different channels of immigration and the nationalities of the migrants concerned. It highlights the contribution of immigration to increases in the total population and the labour force and describes the changes which have taken place in the sectoral distribution of foreign workers. Finally, this report also presents an inventory of policies implemented to improve the integration of immigrants and to extend international co-operation.
Special attention is paid to the links between globalisation, migration and development.
Foreword, table of contents and general introduction Migration, Free Trade and Regional Integration in North America Trade liberalisation is necessary but not sufficient to provide the conditions under which migration flows are significantly reduced. Against a background of sustained development accompanied by significant employment creation, the incentive to emigrate could decline. This publication explores the links between trade liberalisation and migration movements in North America and discusses the issue of whether the free circulation of persons accompany the successive stages of regional economic integration or whether it is an important objective to be achieved only once economic convergence has reached a sufficiently high level. The authors conclude that restrictions on movement are likely to continue into the future and that the lack of free movement does not constitute an obstacle to regional economic integration. Within this context, the need for balanced migration policies which take account of concerns about the economic consequences and social welfare of both sending and receiving countries will remain on the agenda for the foreseeable future.