Context :

• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released the World Migration Report 2026.

Key Points :

• Edition: 13th
• The report is divided into two parts: Part I (Data and Statistics) and Part II (Analysis of complex issues such as climate mobility, impact of AI, and disability).
• The report discusses the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in migration governance and related challenges such as privacy and bias.
• Analysis: It examines changing migration patterns, economic contributions, and displacement challenges worldwide.
• Migrant Population: By mid-2024, the number of international migrants worldwide reached 304 million, accounting for about 3.7% of the global population.
• Migrant Workers: Around 168 million (60%) of all migrants are migrant workers.
• Remittances: Global remittance flows reached nearly $905 billion in 2024, of which $685 billion went to low- and middle-income countries.
• Top Remittance Recipient: India remained the world’s top remittance recipient with $137.67 billion. (2020: $83.15 billion)

India’s Major Corridors :

• The India-UAE corridor became the world’s fifth-largest migration corridor.
• The India-US corridor is the world’s sixth-largest migration corridor.
• Indian Diaspora: The Indian community is the second-largest foreign-origin group in the United States (about 3.2 million people).

Major Global Migration Corridors :

• Mexico–US: World’s largest corridor (about 11 million migrants)
• Afghanistan–Iran
• Syria–Türkiye
• Russia–Ukraine
• India–UAE
• India–US

 The India–US corridor was the world’s sixth-largest migration corridor and the second-largest North America-linked corridor after the Mexico–US corridor.

Strategic Influence of Indian Diaspora (Soft Power) :

• Role of USINPAC: The organization plays a major role in lobbying for Indian interests in the US. It is an example of “Track II Diplomacy,” helping shape visa policies (H-1B) and trade agreements in India’s favor.
• Defence and Technology: The presence of Indian-origin professionals has supported defence and technology cooperation such as iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology).

Major Asian Migration Corridors :

• Bangladesh–India (11th largest): Remains South Asia’s largest corridor. Important for UPSC from the perspective of Neighborhood First policy and border management.
• India–Saudi Arabia (14th largest): Strengthens India’s energy security and economic ties with GCC countries. After India–UAE, it is the second most important Gulf migration corridor.

Major Conflicts Contributing to Displacement :

• Sudan: One of the fastest-growing displacement crises in recent years. Millions have fled to Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.
• Ukraine: Europe’s biggest displacement crisis after the Russian invasion.
• Gaza: Almost the entire population has become internally displaced, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.
• Myanmar: Military coup and Rohingya crisis continue to destabilize Southeast Asia. Important for India and Bangladesh.
• Syria and Yemen: Among the world’s longest-running displacement crises, with millions living as refugees in neighboring countries such as Türkiye and Jordan.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Resource-based conflicts have displaced millions.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Key Facts :

• Established: 1951
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Membership: 175 member countries and 8 observer countries
• Current Director General: Amy Pope — the first woman to hold this position
• Relation with UN: Became a related organization of the United Nations in September 2016.
• Major Reports and Initiatives :
• World Migration Report: IOM’s flagship publication presenting global migration trends and data.
• Global Compact for Migration (GCM): IOM plays a key role in implementing and reviewing this first intergovernmental migration agreement.
• Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM): A major IOM tool used to track movements and needs of displaced populations during crises.