Mumtaz Hussain
UNITED NATIONS: A new report by the United Nations has revealed a significant rise in global migration, with Pakistan topping the list of countries experiencing the highest number of people leaving in 2024.
According to the UN World Population Prospects 2024, an estimated 1.6 million Pakistanis migrated abroad last year due to a combination of economic hardship, political instability and climate-related disasters.
The UN World Population Prospects 2024 ranks Pakistan at the top of global migration outflows, with an estimated 1.6 million people emigrating last year. Sudan follows closely with 1.4 million, and India ranks third with 979,000 departures.
“People are not migrating by choice, they are being pushed out by poverty, war, and climate pressures,” said a spokesperson for the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Top 10 Countries by Migration Outflow in 2024:
1. Pakistan – 1.6 million
2. Sudan – 1.4 million
3. India – 979,000
4. China – 568,000
5. Ukraine – 300,000+
6. Brazil – 240,000+
7. Philippines – 164,000
8. Uganda – 126,000
9. Venezuela – 113,000
10. Turkey – Estimated over 100,000
Economic Crisis Drives South Asian Exodus
South Asia has emerged as a major migration hotspot. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal have seen record emigration due to high unemployment, rising inflation, and lack of economic opportunities.
Many South Asians are heading to Gulf countries, Europe, or North America, seeking better wages and working conditions. Remittances now play a critical role in their home economies.
Additionally, climate disasters—including floods and droughts—are displacing thousands across the region.
Wars and Conflict Fuel Migration from Crisis Zones
Sudan has been gripped by a devastating civil conflict, forcing over 1.4 million people to flee in 2024. The war has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe, with widespread famine and displacement.
Ukraine, still embroiled in war with Russia, saw over 300,000 people leave the country last year.
Surprisingly, Turkey, often seen as a destination for refugees, is now also a significant source of emigration due to rising authoritarianism, inflation, and political repression.
Latin America: Rising Outflows Amid Economic Turmoil
Brazil and Venezuela are witnessing accelerating migration. Over 240,000 Brazilians left their country last year as crime, inequality, and economic stagnation worsened.
In Venezuela, where hyperinflation and state collapse continue, over 113,000 people fled in 2024 alone.
East Asia Sees Growing Emigration
Even countries with strong global economies are not immune. Over 568,000 Chinese citizens left the country in 2024. Analysts cite growing surveillance, job insecurity, and a lack of upward mobility as major push factors.
The Philippines, long known for its labor exports, reported 164,000 outbound migrants, continuing its trend of dependence on overseas remittances.
A Global Wake-Up Call
The UN report concludes with a stark warning: global migration is not slowing—it’s accelerating, driven by inequality, violence, and climate shocks.
“We are witnessing not a migration crisis, but a crisis of governance, inequality, and sustainability,” the UN spokesperson added.
The report urges governments in source countries to address root causes by improving governance, creating jobs, and investing in climate resilience. At the same time, destination countries are called upon to adopt fair and humane immigration policies that reflect the growing humanitarian needs of displaced populations.
The Human Face of Global Crisis
As the world grapples with geopolitical instability, worsening economic conditions, and the intensifying impacts of climate change, migration will remain a defining issue of the coming decade.
