Intensification of Global Migration

From Clayton, S. and Schultz, W. (April 2008) 'Local Government Horizon Scan 2015-30'

Summary

Over 140 million people now live outside their countries of birth and migrants comprise more than 15 percent of the population in 50+ countries. These numbers will grow as demographic ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors intensify (as a result of economic inequality, demography, conflict and human rights abuse, environmental change, regionalisation, globalised education institutions).
Over the next 25 years, between 3m and 4m more migrants are expected to join the 400,000+ legal immigrants from central Europe now living and working in Western Europe. Broad movements into Europe are projected from North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and post-communist states in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
An estimated 150 million climate change ‘environmental refugees’ will be seeking new homes by 2050 (due mainly to the effects of coastal flooding, shoreline erosion and agricultural disruption).
Competition between countries, regions and cities to attract and retain skilled labour will increase.
Net migration into UK is increasing each year, though at a decreasing rates: from 240k in 2007/8 slowing to 190k in 2015/16.