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International Migration: An Emerging Opportunity for the Socio-economic Development of the ESCAP Region
Social Policy Paper No. 6, 2002
ST/ESCAP/2165

This paper provides a brief discussion of the current approaches in treating international migration as an emerging social development issue that merits attention in the post-Copenhagen Declaration years, with special emphasis on changing demographic dynamics and their implications for social development in the ESCAP region. An analysis is made of key trends, including: (a) push factors that propel migrants away from their home countries; (b) pull factors that attract migrants to receiving countries; (c) social/economic barriers that hinder or factors that facilitate migration in the region; and (d) the socio-economic consequences of migration for countries of origin, destination and transit. The paper highlights the consequences of irregular migration and its effects on trafficking in women and children. The paper also provides some policy options to develop effective national migration policies and suggests a regional framework for further cooperation on migration.