Global Program
The Global Program acts as a policy laboratory for innovative, evidence-based, and politically feasible solutions to migration policy challenges. From direct policy advice to deep comparative research, its work interrogates policy design and effectiveness, helps countries newer to immigration learn from innovation and evidence in other regions, and anticipates how demographic, economic, and technological shifts will reshape migration in the years ahead. It supports governments in responding to crises with greater coordination and foresight, and provides a trusted off-the-record space for engaging with sensitive topics. Its main geographical focus is Europe, the Americas, and Australia, but it increasingly works with governments and other partners worldwide, including in East Africa and Asia. For more on the Global Program, click here.
Featured
Population Aging Is Here. Immigration Can Offer Half an Answer.
Immigration on its own cannot solve population aging, but five policy principles can help it play a more effective role in a broader demographic…
Creating Inclusive Urban Economies for Migrants and Refugees
Cities hold powerful levers to turn migrants' and refugees' underused talent into economic growth—but doing so requires moving beyond first…
More Featured Work
Key Statistics
International migrants comprise 3.7 percent of the global population. Learn more about them
304.0 million
The number of migrants globally in 2024
50.6 million
The number who as of 2025 were refugees or asylum seekers
94.0 million
The number of international migrants in Europe—the top destination globally
Showing 181–190 of 696 results
Charting a New Regional Course of Action: The Complex Motivations and Costs of Central American Migration
A survey of thousands of migrant-sending households in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras finds economic hardship drives migration desire, though few turn intentions into plans.
The State of Costa Rican Migration and Immigrant Integration Policy
Costa Rica’s migration system faces key gaps in regularization access, labor market integration, and coordination. Nicaraguans and newer arrivals face particular barriers.
El estado de la política migratoria y de integración de Costa Rica
Costa Rica, con la mayor tasa de migrantes en la región, debe reformar su marco de regularización e integración para responder a un tercer ciclo migratorio más complejo.
Investing in Alternatives to Irregular Migration from Central America: Options to Expand U.S. Employment Pathways
Expanding U.S. employment-based pathways could offer legal alternatives to irregular Central American migration while helping address U.S. labor shortages.
Connections Between Refugee Sponsorship and Complementary Pathways
This expert panel discussed the connections between refugee sponsorship and complementary pathways.
Climate Change and Environmental Migration: View from the IOM
As climate change reshapes the scale and complexity of human mobility worldwide, how is the international community building the governance frameworks to respond?
Symposium on the Migration Dynamics of North America Before, During, and After Covid-19
This symposium examined the migration dynamics of Canada, the United States, and Central America, the complications of the Covid-19 pandemic, and what governments should consider as they pursue pragmatic and cooperative policy solutions.
Bienvenida a los Migrantes Venezolanos, Innovaciones en las Políticas de Integración en Colombia
En este webinario, ponentes examinaron cuestiones de integración y cohesión social en Colombia. También se exploró cómo la comunidad internacional podía apoyar a los países que estaban recibiendo altas cantidades de personas venezolanas, como Colombia, mientras intentaban estabilizar la situación de migrantes tanto como la de las comunidades de acogida, además de potenciar los beneficios de la migración y limitar sus posibles desventajas.
Welcoming Venezuelan Migrants, Innovations in Integration Policies in Colombia
Speakers examined issues of integration and social cohesion in Colombia, and explored how the international community could support countries receiving significant numbers of Venezuelan migrants and refugees in 2021.
The Challenges of Humanitarian Protection in the 21st Century
Could private sponsorship programs, refugee labor visas, and the Global Compact on Refugees scale fast enough to offset the political forces working to shut refugees out?
