OIM - World Migration Report 2026 Chapter 3

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Required citation: International Organization for Migration (IOM) (2026). Migration and migrants: regional dimensions.

In: World Migration Report 2026 (M. McAuliffe and P. Ceriani Cernadas, eds.). IOM, Geneva. _____________________________ © IOM 2026 Some rights reserved. This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 IGO License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 IGO). For further specifications please see the Copyright and Terms of Use. This publication should not be used, published or redistributed for purposes primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation, with the exception of educational purposes e.g.  to  be included in textbooks.

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PUB2025/026/L/31

WORLD MIGRATION REPORT 2026

3

MIGRATION AND MIGRANTS:

REGIONAL DIMENSIONS1

The previous chapter provides an overview of migration globally, with specific reference to international migrants and migration dynamics. Particular migrant groups – including international students, migrant workers, refugees, asylum‑seekers and internally displaced persons (IDPs) – and international remittances were also discussed. Chapter 3 focuses primarily on the regional level, in order to provide a more detailed picture of migration that sets out a different but complementary perspective on migrants and movements in different parts of the world.2 Our starting point is geographic, rather than thematic, given that geography is one of the most significant factors shaping patterns of migration and displacement. Many people who migrate across borders do so within their immediate regions, to countries that are close by, countries to which it may be easier to travel, that may be more familiar, and from which it may also be easier to return. For people who are displaced, finding safety quickly is paramount. People, therefore, tend to be displaced to safer locations nearby, whether that is within their own country or across international borders. This chapter seeks to assist migration policymakers, practitioners, researchers and students to make better sense of international migration globally by using a geographic perspective to present regional migration overviews. The analysis in this chapter focuses on six world regions as defined by the United Nations, and used by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and other organizations: • Africa • Asia • Europe • Latin America and the Caribbean • Northern America • Oceania

Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and other organizations: • Africa • Asia • Europe • Latin America and the Caribbean • Northern America

• Oceania For each of these regions, the analysis includes an overview and brief discussion of key migration statistics based on data compiled and reported by UN DESA, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHCR), the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the World Bank. It is important to note that this chapter builds on the parallel regional chapters of the World Migration Reports of 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024, by providing an update on available statistics.3 Significant changes over the two years since the last edition of the World Migration Report have been reflected in this chapter, which incorporates key updated data and information on migration. Thematic chapters in this volume may also be of interest, namely migration and development, regular migration pathways, climate migration and displacement, internal displacement, and disability and migration.2

Migration and migrants: regional dimensions Africa Migration in Africa is characterized by substantial numbers of international migrants moving both within and from the region. By mid-2024, around 45.8  million international migrants were from Africa. While this number has increased over the decades, from just under 20 million in 1990, it remains a small share of the region’s population.

International migrants from Africa comprised around 3 per cent of the region’s overall population. As illustrated in Figure 1, most international migration occurs within the region, and this number has increased sharply since 2000.4 The latest available international migrant stock data show that around 25 million Africans were living in another African country in 2024, a 17 per cent increase from five years ago (2020) and nearly 39 per cent more than in

2015. This is a reflection – in part – of increased cross-border displacement within the region, as well as of greater intraregional migration facilitated by free movement arrangements.

2015. This is a reflection – in part – of increased cross-border displacement within the region, as well as of greater intraregional migration facilitated by free movement arrangements.

Figure 1. Migrants to, within and from Africa, 1990–2024 Migrants to Africa Migrants within Africa 1990 2000 2010 2020 1990 2000 2010 2020 0 5 10 15 20 Year Migrant stock (millions) Region Africa Asia Europe Latin America and the Caribbean Northern America Oceania Migrants from Africa 1990 2000 2010 2020

Source: UN DESA, 2025.

Notes: This is the latest available international migrant stock data at the time of writing. “Migrants to Africa” refers to migrants residing in the region (i.e. Africa) who were born in one of the other regions

(e.g. Europe or Asia). “Migrants within Africa” refers to migrants born in the region (i.e. Africa) and residing outside their country of birth, but still within the African region. “Migrants from Africa” refers to people born in Africa who were residing outside the region (e.g. in Europe or Northern America).3

WORLD MIGRATION REPORT 2026

The number of Africans living in different regions has also been growing, although not to the same extent as intraregional migration. Since 1990, this number has more than doubled, with around 21 million Africans currently living outside the region. The latest 2024 data also show that most African-born migrants living outside the region were residing in Europe (around 11 million), Asia (nearly 7 million) and Northern America (around 2.7 million). One aspect to note about international migrants residing in Africa, as shown in Figure 1, is the small number of migrants who were born outside of the region and have since moved there. Over the last 30 years, this number has

One aspect to note about international migrants residing in Africa, as shown in Figure 1, is the small number of migrants who were born outside of the region and have since moved there. Over the last 30 years, this number has increased, from around 1.4 million in 2005 to nearly 2 million in 2024, with most having come from Asia (around 1.3 million) and Europe (around 583,000). Figure 2 ranks the top 20 African countries with the largest proportional population change over the 20-year period from 2005 to 2024. All these countries experienced significant population growth during this period and, notably, virtually all of them are in sub-Saharan Africa. Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Angola, the Niger, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo had the largest proportional population change over the two decades. This population growth in Africa contrasts with population change in Europe, for example, which has experienced slower population increases in some countries and even decline in others over the same period. Recent projections show that in the next three decades, the population in sub-Saharan Africa will grow even further (by nearly 80%) and reach 2.2 billion in 2054.5 Figure 2. Top 20 countries with the largest proportional population change in Africa, 2005–2024 Equatorial Guinea Chad Angola Niger Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Zambia Mali Somalia Uganda Mauritania United Republic of Tanzania Gabon Congo Liberia Benin Cameroon Burkina Faso Mozambique Ethiopia 0% 30% 60% 90%

Source: UN DESA, 2024a.4

Migration and migrants: regional dimensions Unlike many countries in regions such as Europe and Asia, where immigration has been and will continue to be the key driver of population growth, in Africa – particularly sub-Saharan Africa – high fertility levels are the main contributors to this growth. There are exceptions, however: for example, in Equatorial Guinea, which underwent the

Unlike many countries in regions such as Europe and Asia, where immigration has been and will continue to be the key driver of population growth, in Africa – particularly sub-Saharan Africa – high fertility levels are the main contributors to this growth. There are exceptions, however: for example, in Equatorial Guinea, which underwent the largest proportional population change in Africa over the last 20 years, the population increase has significantly been influenced by immigration in recent decades. The increase in migrants to Equatorial Guinea is largely the result of its economic growth linked to the oil, gas and construction sectors.6 In 2005, international migrants accounted for less than 1 per cent of Equatorial Guinea’s population, but by 2024, this figure had increased to more than 13 per cent.7 The largest migration corridors in Africa are shaped by a combination of geographic proximity, historical and socioeconomic linkages and displacement dynamics. The size of a migration corridor from country A to country B is measured as the number of immigrants from country A who were residing in country B in 2024. Migration corridors represent an accumulation of migratory movements over time and provide a snapshot of how migration patterns have evolved into significant foreign-born populations in specific destination countries. The largest migration corridor in Africa, Burkina Faso to Côte d’Ivoire, reflects long-standing labour migration and the countries’ geographic proximity. Free movement arrangements in West Africa have also played a key role in further facilitating movement in the subregion. As shown in Figure 3, some of the largest migration corridors in Africa – such as South Sudan to the Sudan, the Sudan to Chad and South Sudan to Uganda – are the result of large-scale displacement due to conflict and violence. The Sudan is now facing the world’s fastest-growing displacement crisis, worsened by global cuts to humanitarian aid.8 Uganda, one of the top refugee-hosting countries, has also struggled in recent years to support its refugee population as international assistance continues to decline.9 Other significant corridors that involve North African countries, such as from Egypt to Saudi Arabia, Algeria to France and Morocco to Spain, in part reflect labour

humanitarian aid.8 Uganda, one of the top refugee-hosting countries, has also struggled in recent years to support its refugee population as international assistance continues to decline.9 Other significant corridors that involve North African countries, such as from Egypt to Saudi Arabia, Algeria to France and Morocco to Spain, in part reflect labour migration along these corridors and in part reflect postcolonial historical ties and geographic proximity. Figure 3. Top 10 migration corridors involving African countries, 2024 Burkina Faso–Côte d’Ivoire South Sudan–Sudan Egypt–Saudi Arabia Algeria–France Morocco–Spain Zimbabwe–South Africa Sudan–Chad Morocco–France South Sudan–Uganda Sudan–Saudi Arabia Migrants (millions) Destination Africa Asia Europe 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5

Source: UN DESA, 2025.

Note: Corridors represent an accumulation of migratory movements over time and provide a snapshot of how migration patterns have evolved into significant foreign-born populations in specific destination countries.5

WORLD MIGRATION REPORT 2026

In Africa, the proportions of female and male migrants in the top destination countries are largely similar, with only slight differences between countries, with a few exceptions. In Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, the share of male immigrants is significantly larger. This reflects gendered labour migration pathways in both countries where seasonal work in construction and cocoa agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire,10 and employment in the mining and construction sectors in South Africa, are prominent.11 And in Uganda and Chad, the share of female immigrants is substantially larger than males. In the top 10 origin countries in Africa, the share of male and female migrants is also broadly the same. Exceptions include Egypt – the top country of origin in the region – which has a far greater share of male than female emigrants. The Sudan and Burkina Faso both also have a share of male emigrants that, while not as large as Egypt, is also substantial. In North African countries, in particular, the higher number of male migrants

male than female emigrants. The Sudan and Burkina Faso both also have a share of male emigrants that, while not as large as Egypt, is also substantial. In North African countries, in particular, the higher number of male migrants is largely due to traditional patterns of migrating independently for work.12 Figure 4. Top 10 African destination (left) and origin (right) countries by sex, 2024 Côte d'Ivoire South Africa Sudan Uganda Nigeria Chad Ethiopia Egypt Democratic Republic of the Congo Kenya Egypt Sudan Morocco South Sudan Democratic Republic of the Congo Nigeria Burkina Faso Somalia Algeria Zimbabwe 0% Immigrants Emigrants Sex Female Male 20% 50% 75% 100% 0% 20% 50% 75% 100%

Source: UN DESA, 2025.

Note: This is the latest available international migrant stock data at the time of writing. “Proportion” refers to the share of female or male migrants in the total number of immigrants in destination countries (left) or in the total number of emigrants from origin countries (right).

As shown in Figure 5, displacement remains a key feature in Africa, with some countries on the continent being both the origin and destination of some of the largest number of refugees and asylum-seekers.13 Figure 5 shows the top 10 countries in Africa, ranked by the combined total of refugees and asylum-seekers both hosted by and originating from that country. South Sudan remained the country of origin of the largest number of refugees in Africa in 2024 (around 2.3 million). The number of refugees from South Sudan has been the highest among African6

Migration and migrants: regional dimensions countries in recent years, with most hosted by Uganda, the Sudan and Ethiopia. The conflict in the Sudan, which began in 2023, has resulted in one of the world’s largest displacement crises, with the country being now the origin

Migration and migrants: regional dimensions countries in recent years, with most hosted by Uganda, the Sudan and Ethiopia. The conflict in the Sudan, which began in 2023, has resulted in one of the world’s largest displacement crises, with the country being now the origin of the second largest number of refugees in Africa (around 2.1 million), a 40 per cent increase from the previous year. Similar to South Sudan, most refugees and asylum-seekers from the Sudan were hosted by neighbouring countries at end of 2024, with the vast majority in Chad, Egypt, South Sudan and Libya. The prolonged conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including clashes between State and non-State armed groups, have also resulted in significant cross-border displacement from the country. There were more than 1 million refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2024, the third-largest number in Africa. Somalia and the Central African Republic were the origin countries of the fourth and fifth largest refugee populations in the region.

Uganda, meanwhile, continued to host the largest refugee population in Africa and the fifth highest globally (nearly 1.8 million), most from neighbouring countries such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With around 1.1  million refugees from the Sudan alone, Chad hosted the second largest refugee population in Africa. Countries such as the Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – which are also the origin countries of some of the highest numbers of refugees – are also hosts of large refugee populations. Africa remains the only region where multiple countries both host and produce large numbers of refugees. Figure 5. Top 10 African countries by total refugees and asylum-seekers, 2024 Sudan South Sudan Uganda Democratic Republic of the Congo Ethiopia Chad Somalia Egypt Kenya Central African Republic Persons (millions) 3 2 1 0 1 2 Location

Status: Hosted

Abroad Asylum-seekers Refugees

Source: UNHCR, n.d.a.

Note:

Ethiopia Chad Somalia Egypt Kenya Central African Republic Persons (millions) 3 2 1 0 1 2 Location

Status: Hosted

Abroad Asylum-seekers Refugees

Source: UNHCR, n.d.a.

Note: “Hosted” refers to those refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries who are residing in the receiving country (right‑hand side of the figure); “abroad” refers to refugees and asylum-seekers originating from that country who are outside of their origin country. The top 10 countries are based on 2024 data and are calculated by combining the number of refugees and asylum-seekers in and from countries.7

WORLD MIGRATION REPORT 2026

As in previous years, the vast majority of internal displacements in Africa in 2024 were the result of conflict and violence, and most occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.14 With over 5 million and 3.7 million displacements respectively, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Sudan had the largest numbers of conflict-induced internal displacements in the region. Together, these two countries accounted for nearly 80 per cent of displacements triggered by conflict and violence in sub-Saharan Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s crisis has lasted for decades but was further intensified in 2024 by various armed groups, worsening what was an already dire humanitarian situation.15 In the Sudan, meanwhile, the conflict that started in 2023 has led not just to significant internal and cross-border displacement but also to what has been deemed among the world’s worst humanitarian crises.16 Figure 6. Top 20 African countries by internal displacements (disaster and conflict), 2024 Democratic Republic of the Congo Sudan Nigeria Chad Niger Mozambique

South Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Burkina Faso Cameroon Kenya Zambia Mali Central African Republic Uganda Zimbabwe United Republic of Tanzania Angola Malawi Displacement (millions) Percentage of population 0 2 4 4 0 4 8 Conflict Disaster

Source: IDMC, n.d; UN DESA, 2024a.

Notes: The term “displacements” refers to the number of displacement movements that occurred in 2024, not the total accumulated stock of IDPs resulting from displacement over time. New displacement figures include individuals who have been displaced more than once and do not correspond to the number of people displaced during the year.

1 The population size used to calculate the percentage of new disaster and conflict displacements is based on the total resident population of the country per 2024 UN DESA population estimates, and the percentage is for relative illustrative purposes only. 1 The IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) database is one of the largest sources for global annual estimates on internal displacement compiled by IDMC. DTM accounted for 52 per cent of 2024 internal displacement figures provided in the IDMC annual global report on internal displacement (GRID) (IOM, 2025).8

Migration and migrants: regional dimensions Disasters also resulted in a significant number of internal displacements in Africa. Some of the same countries with large numbers of internal displacements due to conflict and violence, such as the Sudan, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also recorded substantial disaster displacements, with some of the same people affected.

More than 1.2 million disaster displacements (largely due to floods) were recorded in Nigeria and around 750,000 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Chad, considered among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, had the largest internal disaster displacements in Africa in 2024 (more than 1.3 million), largely triggered by floods. This was also Chad’s largest number of disaster displacements on record. Other countries that experienced

the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Chad, considered among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, had the largest internal disaster displacements in Africa in 2024 (more than 1.3 million), largely triggered by floods. This was also Chad’s largest number of disaster displacements on record. Other countries that experienced large numbers of disaster displacements in 2024 included the Niger (around 1.1 million) and Mozambique (585,000). Asia Asia – home to around 4.8  billion people – was the origin of over 40 per cent of the world’s international migrants (nearly 121 million), as shown in the latest available international migrant stock data (2024). The number of international migrants from Asia (as a share of the region’s population) has remained relatively stable over the decades, increasing modestly from around 1.7 per cent in 1990 to 2.5 per cent in 2024. More than half of international migrants from Asia (74 million) were residing in other countries in Asia, compared with 62 million in

2015. As shown in the middle panel of Figure 7, intraregional migration in Asia has been a significant trend over the decades, confirmed by the most recent data. International migration within Asia is predominantly comprised of migrant workers, although other factors – such as cross-border displacement and international student migration – have also contributed to the increased amount of intraregional migration.

Growth has also occurred in the number of Asian-born migrant populations in other regions, particularly Northern America and Europe. In 2024, migration from Asia to Northern America reached nearly 20 million, rising from almost 18 million in 2020. These numbers are similar to those for migration from Asia to Europe, which stood at 20 million in 2024, increasing from almost 19 million in 2020. Migration from Asia to Northern America and Europe drove much of the increase in the number of Asian migrants outside the region, which stands at around 46 million in 2024.

at 20 million in 2024, increasing from almost 19 million in 2020. Migration from Asia to Northern America and Europe drove much of the increase in the number of Asian migrants outside the region, which stands at around 46 million in 2024. The number of non-Asian-born migrants in Asia (around 13 million) has remained at relatively low levels since 1990. Africans comprise the largest group of migrants from outside Asia in the region (nearly 6.7 million), followed by Europeans (close to 5 million). The number of European migrants in Asia include migrants from the European part of the former Soviet Union now living in Central Asia.9

WORLD MIGRATION REPORT 2026

Figure 7. Migrants to, within and from Asia, 1990–2024 Migrants to Asia Migrants within Asia Migrants from Asia 1990 2000 2010 2020 1990 2000 2010 2020 1990 2000 2010 2020 0 20 40 60 Year Migrant stock (millions) Region Africa Asia Europe Latin America and the Caribbean Northern America Oceania

Source: UN DESA, 2025.

Notes: This is the latest available international migrant stock data at the time of writing. “Migrants to Asia” refers to migrants residing in the region (i.e. Asia) who were born in one of the other regions (e.g. Europe or Africa). “Migrants within Asia” refers to migrants born in the region (i.e. Asia) and residing outside their country of birth, but still within the Asian region. “Migrants from Asia” refers to people born in Asia who were residing outside the region (e.g. in Europe or Northern America).10

Migration and migrants: regional dimensions Figure 8 shows the top 20 Asian countries with the largest proportional population change from 2005 to 2024.

All top 20 countries experienced increases in their populations during this period, with several Gulf Cooperation

Migration and migrants: regional dimensions Figure 8 shows the top 20 Asian countries with the largest proportional population change from 2005 to 2024.

All top 20 countries experienced increases in their populations during this period, with several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries undergoing the most substantial changes in the size of their populations. The GCC States of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Oman comprise the top 4 countries with the largest population changes over the 20-year period, as reflected in Figure 8. Immigration is a driver of population growth in Asia, particularly in GCC countries. These States remain important destinations for migrant workers from Asia and beyond who work across a range of sectors, including construction, hospitality, retail, domestic and care sectors, among others.17 In 2024, international migrants accounted for nearly 77 per cent, 74 per cent and more than 67 per cent of the populations of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, respectively.18 It is important to highlight, however, that while migration is playing an important role in population changes across the region, Asia’s demographic changes are characterized by a complex mix of additional factors, such as ageing populations and declining fertility rates in some countries.19 Figure 8. Top 20 countries with the largest proportional population change in Asia, 2005–2024 Qatar United Arab Emirates Kuwait Oman Jordan Bahrain Yemen Afghanistan Maldives Saudi Arabia Iraq Tajikistan Turkmenistan Timor-Leste Pakistan Israel Malaysia Singapore Uzbekistan Kyrgyzstan 0% 100% 200% 300%

Source: UN DESA, 2024a.11

WORLD MIGRATION REPORT 2026

Figure 9 shows the top 10 country-to-country migration corridors involving Asian countries. The majority (7 of the 10) occur within the region. These migration corridors represent an accumulation of migratory movements over time and provide a snapshot of how migration patterns have evolved into significant foreign-born populations

WORLD MIGRATION REPORT 2026

Figure 9 shows the top 10 country-to-country migration corridors involving Asian countries. The majority (7 of the 10) occur within the region. These migration corridors represent an accumulation of migratory movements over time and provide a snapshot of how migration patterns have evolved into significant foreign-born populations in specific destination countries. The largest corridor is from Afghanistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, a change from five years ago when the largest corridor was from the Syrian Arab Republic to Türkiye. Afghan migration and displacement to the Islamic Republic of Iran is long standing and has been ongoing for decades, with around 3.7 million Afghans living in the country by mid-2024. In late 2024, a large-scale return initiative was introduced in the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the stated aim of returning up to 2  million Afghan refugees.20 This led to a significant increase in both involuntary and voluntary returns, as compared to the previous year.21 While Afghan migration has traditionally been male dominated, particularly due to the extreme risks involved in irregular movement,22 the takeover by the Taliban in 2021 and the subsequent restrictions on the movements and actions of women and girls by the de facto Taliban authority have led to a rise in the number of female displacements, often in unsafe conditions.23 The second largest corridor – the Syrian Arab Republic to Türkiye – is also largely the result of displacement due to conflict. Nearly 3.6 million Syrians were living in Türkiye in 2024. Some of the other significant migration corridors from Asia involve large numbers of migrant workers from countries such as India and Bangladesh to Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Figure 9. Top 10 migration corridors involving Asian countries, 2024 Afghanistan–Iran (Islamic Republic of) Syrian Arab Republic–Türkiye

India–United Arab Emirates India–United States of America China–United States of America Bangladesh–Saudi Arabia Bangladesh–India Philippines–United States of America Yemen–Saudi Arabia India–Saudi Arabia Migrants (mil