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🌍 International Migrant Workers: Shaping the Global Labour Market
ILO’s Latest Report Reveals Workforce Trends, Challenges & Opportunities
📊 Global Migrants in the Workforce: A Growing Economic Force
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has unveiled the 4th edition of its Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers. Despite global disruptions such as the pandemic, the role of international migrants (IMs) continues to grow — strengthening economies, filling workforce gaps, and sending home vital remittances. 💼🌐
🌐 Global Labour Force Snapshot (2022)
- 4.7% of the global labour force are international migrants
- 167.7 million IMs globally
- 155.6 million employed
- 12.1 million unemployed
- Annual growth rate: <1% (2019–2022), impacted by COVID-19 and policy shifts
👩🔧 Gender Disparities: Slow Progress for Female Migrants
- 61.3% of IM workers are male, compared to 38.7% female
- Despite steady growth since 2015, female representation remains low
- Causes: lower female participation in migration, caregiving responsibilities, and employment barriers
📌 Women make up a large portion of IMs in care roles — but systemic inequalities persist.
📈 Age Distribution of IM Workers
| Age Group | % of IM Workers |
|---|---|
| 25–54 yrs (Prime working age) | 74.9% |
| 15–24 yrs (Youth) | 9.3% |
| 55–64 yrs | 12.5% |
| 65+ yrs | 3.4% |
🔍 Most IMs are in their most productive years, underscoring their role in supporting ageing populations in host nations.
🏢 Sectoral Employment Distribution
- 68.4% in Services Sector – Women hold a staggering 80.7% of these roles
- 24.3% in Industry – Manufacturing, construction
- 7.4% in Agriculture
🛎️ The service sector — especially healthcare, domestic work, and elder care — continues to drive demand for migrant labour.
🌍 Host Country Trends
- High-income countries host 68.4% of IMs
- Upper-middle-income countries: 17.4%
- North America saw a slight decline in migrant share
- Arab states recorded a significant drop
📉 Changing labour policies and pandemic-related restrictions influenced these shifts.
🔮 Future Outlook: Demand Will Persist
👵 Ageing populations, 💉 healthcare needs, and 👨👧 care-based economies will ensure sustained demand for IMs in wealthier nations.
As global mobility increases, so will the need for equitable migration policies, inclusive labour protections, and gender-sensitive strategies.
✨ Conclusion
International migrant workers remain a cornerstone of global economic resilience. The ILO’s findings remind us that behind the numbers are millions of people contributing to prosperity and care across borders — often amid challenging conditions. 🌐🤝
