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 61–70 of 696 results
Managing International Protection Needs at Borders
Amid rising mixed migration flows, managing international protection needs at borders requires differentiated screening, flexible surge capacity, interagency coordination, and proactive investment.
Building on Regular Pathways to Address Migration Pressures in the Americas
Despite a rich history of regular immigration pathways, the Americas still struggle with irregular migration. Hemispheric cooperation and reformed mobility agreements are needed.
Construyendo vías regulares para abordar presiones migratorias en el hemisferio occidental
A pesar de una rica historia de vías regulares, el hemisferio sigue luchando con la migración irregular. Se necesitan cooperación hemisférica y acuerdos reformados.
Rocking the (Small) Boat: Novel Options to Tackle Irregular Migration to the United Kingdom
With UK voters headed to the polls on July 4, one thing is clear: Whatever party wins the election will face the ongoing challenges of addressing irregular arrivals by boat and growing asylum claims. But this could also be an opportunity for novel policy approaches and collaboration with international partners in Europe and beyond, this commentary argues.
What Does It Take to Increase Refugees’ Access to Education and Work? Insights from Ethiopia
Ethiopia made sweeping promises to integrate 900,000 refugees into schools and workplaces; what changed on the ground?
De los principios a la acción: una nueva agenda para el segundo aniversario de la Declaración de Los Ángeles
Dos años después de la firma de La Declaración de Los Ángeles sobre Migración y Protección, los gobiernos de a través de las Américas se reunieron en Guatemala para analizar el estado de cooperación en el hemisferio. Organizaciones no gubernamentales e internacionales produjeron una agenda de acción práctica para el próximo año. Se explica en este comentario.
Translating Principles into Action: Countries Set New Agenda on the Los Angeles Declaration’s Second Anniversary
Two years after signing the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, governments from across the Americas met in Guatemala to assess the state of cooperation in the hemisphere. Working with nongovernmental and international organizations, they also produced an agenda for practical action for the next year, as this commentary explains.
Mapping Global Human Mobility in an Increasingly Complex World
Featuring the IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, this webinar explored trends of human mobility in a post-pandemic world, with climate change adding to the complexity of movements.
The State of Global Mobility in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 shut down global mobility during the first year of the pandemic. But 2022 saw a rapid rebound. This IOM-MPI report reveals shifting patterns post-pandemic, from Gulf labor flows to climate-driven displacement.
Competing for Talent: What Role Can Employment- and Skills-Based Mobility Projects Play?
Skills-based mobility projects face scale challenges. Better planning, private-sector buy-in, and longer timeframes are needed to match workers with jobs across borders.
