Cross-border migrations and the economic crisis

Migration, economic development and globalisation are becoming increasingly intertwined. The impact of the economic crisis on migration patterns sheds light on a number of fascinating facts. On a global scale, migration continues unabated and is even on an upward trend, particularly on a South-South basis, whilst the impact on South-North immigration is more nuanced. In the United States, immigration from Mexico has drastically decreased, whilst immigration from Asia has risen. In Europe, after a temporary decline in East–West migration, immigration from those countries most affected by the economic crisis such as Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland, is on the up, whilst several host countries are tightening up their immigration policies, making them more restrictive. Overall migration shows a certain resilience which, in the case of foreign communities residing in Italy, is underscored by the increase in remittances sent home by Chinese citizens and the increase in per capita sums sent by Bangladeshis, Indians and Filipinos, despite the crisis. Migrant workers are a resource for host countries and restrictive policies may have adverse repercussions over the long-term on the rich countries' economies whose populations are ageing.