Migrations to OECD Nations-where India Stands

IN NEWS

• India ranks second among the Migrations to OECD Nations, taking citizenship of countries associated with the Organization for Economic Corporation and Development (OECD).

ABOUT

• The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development is an association of 37 member countries, such as European countries, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
• India has emerged as the second largest source country both in terms of the “total” inflow of new migrants to OECD countries during 2018 and also as regards the number of Indians acquiring citizenship of these countries.
• China continued to retain its top slot as the largest source country, India replaced Romania to emerge as the second largest source.
• Migration from India to OECD countries increased sharply by 10% and reached 3.3 lakh. Migration from India represents about 5% of the overall migration to OECD countries.
• While Canada saw a huge spike in numbers, others such as Germany and Italy also saw more arrivals as compared to the previous year.
• Collation of country-wise data shows that the “total” inflow of new migrants to OECD countries was 66 lakh, a slight rise of 3.8% over the previous year.

CONCLUSION

• Angel Gurría, secretary general at OECD, while releasing “International Migration Outlook 2020” expressed that Covid-19 has redrawn the international migration map.
• Following the onset of Covid-19, almost all OECD countries restricted admission to foreigners.
• Issuances of new visas in these countries plummeted by 46% in first half of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
• This is the largest drop ever recorded. In the second quarter, the decline was 72%.
• The secretary general said migration would continue to play a key role for economic growth and innovation, and in responding to rapidly changing labour markets.