This publication constitutes the 49th report of the OECD’s Continuous Reporting System on Migration. The report is divided into six chapters plus a statistical annex. Chapter 1 provides a broad overview of recent trends in international migration flows. It also analyses recent changes on the labour market inclusion of immigrants in OECD countries. Chapter 2 monitors recent changes in migration policies, while Chapter 3 looks at the recent changes in policies that support the integration of immigrants and their children.
Chapter 4 looks at the role of firms in immigrant integration. It sheds new light on the role of firms in shaping the immigrant earnings gap using linked employer-employee data for 15 OECD countries. The chapter starts by documenting the immigrant earnings gap at entry in the labour market and the extent to which it is driven by immigrants working disproportionately in lower-paying firms, industries and occupations. It then analyses how the earnings gap evolves as immigrants integrate into the labour market by moving to better-paying firms, industries and occupations. The implications for immigrant integration policy are discussed in the conclusion.
Chapter 5 is the result of a co‑operation between the OECD and the WHO in the context of the “Working for Health” programme. It examines the evolution of international migration of health professionals, specifically doctors and nurses, to OECD countries since 2000/01, in the context of growing workforce shortages and increasing global competition for talent. The chapter considers the implications for countries of origin, including the risk of brain drain, and highlights the importance of ethical recruitment practices. Finally, it explores recent changes in migration policies affecting health professionals, as well as developments in the recognition of foreign qualifications and licensing across the OECD.
Chapter 6 presents succinct country-specific notes and statistics on developments in international migration movements and policies in OECD and selected non-OECD countries in recent years. Lastly, the statistical annex includes a broad selection of recent and historical statistics on immigrant flows, asylum requests, foreign and foreign-born populations, and naturalisation.
This year’s edition of the OECD International Migration Outlook is the collective work of the staff of the International Migration Division in the Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs. Chapter 4 was drafted by César Barreto (OECD), Ana Damas de Matos (OECD) and Alexander Hijzen (OECD). Chapter 5 was drafted by Ave Lauren (OECD), José Ramalho (OECD), Jean-Christophe Dumont (OECD), Gaetan Lafortune (OECD), as well as Agya Mahat (WHO) and Tapas Nair (WHO). It benefited from comments notably from a number of WHO colleagues – Giorgio Cometto, Khassoum Diallo, Teena Kunjumen and Jim Campbell. Jean-Christophe Dumont edited the report. Statistical work was carried out by Philippe Hervé, Sebastián Higuera, Veronika Strain-Fajth and co‑ordinated by Cécile Thoreau. Editorial assistance was provided by Dominika Andrzejczak and Jennifer O’Brien as well as Lucy Hulett.