The theme of this year’s International Migrants Day – Honouring the Contributions of Migrants and Respecting Their Rights – helps remind us of the positive contributions migrants make to the societies and countries that host them, the challenges they face in achieving their full potential and capabilities, and the urgent need for collective action to ensure that migration is as safe as possible. Despite political commitments and media attention, migrant deaths are on the rise: 2023 saw the highest annual death toll on record, with over 8500 deaths. 

According to the United Nations, around 281 million people – 3.6% of the global population – are international migrants. Migration is a multifaceted phenomenon. The reasons people undertake – or are forced to undertake – often perilous journeys are complex. Increasingly, people are being displaced from their place of birth by conflict, political and economic instability, natural disasters and climate change.