On this International Migrants Day, we are reminded of the courage and resilience behind every journey.
There is a woman named Carole from Morocco. She was denied education as a girl by her father. She had told her only role was to be married and be a wife. She refused to accept that fate. One day, she left her homeland to seek opportunity. She suffered from racism in Algeria for two years, then gave birth to her son there. She survived a life-threatening three-day sea crossing to Europe with no protection or food with an infant. After months of mistreatment in an Italian camp, she finally reached France. She dreams of building a new life through training and work as a hair stylist. Her story is a testament to the strength of migrants worldwide and the hope that their children will inherit brighter futures.
On December 18th, 1990, UN General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Later in 2000, the UN officially claimed December 18 as International Migrants Day, acknowledging the growing population of migrants and the need to protect their rights. The day is now observed by all UN member states, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) leading global campaigns.
Migration is one of the defining issues of the current world. As of January 2025, there are over 281 million international migrants globally, representing about 3.6% of the world’s population. Migrants contribute significantly to economies, societies, and cultures, yet they often face discrimination, exploitation, and unsafe journeys. International Migrants Day is a reminder to uphold dignity, safety, and human rights for all people on the move.
Global migration drivers are as follows.
Conflict and violence: Wars and political instability force millions to flee their homes.
Climate change: In 2022 alone, climate-related disasters displaced 32.6 million people internally, and this trend is continuing to grow.
Economic opportunity: Many are migrating to seek jobs, education, and better living standards, especially in regions with demographic shifts and limited local opportunities.
However, Migration is not just about numbers; it is about human resilience and hope.
Migrants around the world make significant contributions to the economies, cultures, and societies of their host countries through remittances, innovation, labour, food, arts, and social progress. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has chosen the theme “My Great Story: Cultures and Development” this year to emphasize how human mobility fosters growth, enriches societies, and helps communities connect, adapt, and support one another. As we approach 2025, this message is more urgent than ever, as migration continues to shape economies, communities, and global development.
Let’s dive into how migrants shaped their host countries’ economies, social development, and much more.
They contribute immensely, not only by sending billions in remittances that sustain families and fuel development over $860 billion in 2024 alone, but also by filling huge labour gaps in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, construction, and services in developed countries. Beyond these roles, many migrants drive innovation as entrepreneurs, creating jobs and reshaping industries like Elon Musk, born in South Africa, exemplifies this transformative impact through Tesla and SpaceX. Together, these contributions highlight how migration strengthens economies, enriches societies, and promotes technological advancement.
Migration enriches cultures across the globe, reshaping culinary traditions with staples like Italian pizza, Indian curry, and Middle Eastern falafel, while inspiring creative fusions such as Tex-Mex and sushi burritos. In arts and entertainment, migrants have left inerasable marks, such as Freddie Mercury, born in Zanzibar, who became a legendary rock icon, and Lupita Nyong’o, born in Mexico to Kenyan parents, rose to Oscar-winning actress. Beyond food and fame, migrants bring diverse languages, traditions, and perspectives that broaden societies, fostering acceptance, creativity, and innovation.
Migrants play a vital role in advancing social progress, often standing as advocates for justice and equality while enriching civic life through their resilience and leadership. From everyday heroes like healthcare workers who risked their lives during the COVID‑19 pandemic to prominent figures such as Madeleine Albright, born in Czechoslovakia and later serving as U.S. Secretary of State, and Sadiq Khan, the son of Pakistani immigrants who became Mayor of London, migrants demonstrate how their contributions shape governance, strengthen communities, and inspire greater inclusivity in society.
Migrants’ stories remind us that behind every statistic is a human being striving for dignity, opportunity, and hope. Today, we celebrate migrants not as outsiders, but as vital members of our shared global community. It is proven that when people move, humanity moves forward.
Written By: Chamya Gallage
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References:
International Migrants Day 2025 | International Organization for Migration
7 Migrants Share Their Stories of Struggle and Resilience