As anti-immigration sentiment rises in Europe and the United States, it becomes essential to analyze the implications of this rhetoric on human mobility.
Contrary to the perception of migration as a burden, evidence suggests that it serves as a crucial driver of economic growth, demographic resilience, and cultural cohesion.
The tendency to portray migration as a threat overlooks both historical precedents and fundamental democratic values.
Human movement is not a recent phenomenon; it has shaped civilizations throughout history.
From the movements of Mediterranean diasporas in ancient times to the large-scale migrations witnessed in the 20th century, human history embodies the necessity of mobility, constructing and reconstructing city-states, colonial empires, and nation-states.
Framing migrants as intruders distorts the narrative, undermining their potential contributions as future citizens and economic actors.
Migration Drives Economies
A 2016 analysis by the McKinsey Global Institute outlined critical insights into the economic impact of migration.
While migrants constituted only 3.3% of the global population in 2015, they contributed an impressive 9.4% to global GDP that year, equating to approximately $6.7 trillion.
In the United States alone, this figure rose to about $2 trillion.
Recent estimations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2024 further emphasize this point, projecting that net migration flows into the eurozone from 2020 to 2023, particularly including millions of Ukrainian refugees, may increase potential GDP in the region by an additional 0.5% by 2030.
This figure is not trivial; it represents nearly half of all anticipated economic growth in the coming years.
Without migration, Europe’s economic prospects would be substantially constrained.
Workers, Innovation, Growth
In the United States, over 31 million immigrants participated in the labor market as of 2023, representing 19% of the total workforce, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
Notably, their participation rate stood at 67%, surpassing the 62% participation rate of native-born workers, which highlights their significant contributions to tax revenues and domestic consumption.
Data indicates that immigrants tend to occupy physically demanding jobs or roles not pursued by local workers, thereby enhancing the labor market by complementing native-born employees.
This dynamic becomes increasingly vital during periods of full employment or amidst aging populations.
Migration and Innovation
Beyond labor, migration fuels innovation through the introduction of fresh ideas and perspectives.
According to the World Economic Forum, immigrants in the United States are 80% more likely to initiate new businesses compared to their native counterparts.
Additionally, more than 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by migrants or their descendants, showcasing their profound influence on entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Furthermore, a notable portion of patents filed in the United States contains at least one foreign inventor, emphasizing the contribution of immigrants to scientific and technological advancement.
Top universities also rely heavily on international students to sustain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs.
In essence, closing off borders equates to shutting down avenues of innovation and progress.
In the European Union, the evidence remains compelling.
The 2024 IMF report showed that between 2019 and 2023, two-thirds of new jobs were filled by non-EU migrants.
This statistic effectively counters the narrative that migrants merely ‘steal jobs’; instead, they occupy structural vacancies that neither automation nor the internal market have managed to address.
Consequences of Exclusion
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlighted in 2025 that without the inclusion of women, older individuals, and immigrants in the workforce, GDP per capita growth among its member countries could plummet from 1% per year (from 2000 to 2020) to a mere 0.6% by 2060.
Conversely, a more inclusive migration policy could provide at least an additional 0.1 percentage point to annual growth rates.
Additionally, global remittances—the funds immigrants send back home to family—reached $831 billion in 2022, representing a remarkable 650% increase from 2000.
These remittances often surpass official development assistance and, in some cases, foreign direct investment, playing a crucial role in funding health, education, and housing in recipient countries.
They act as a form of wealth redistribution that does not require any multilateral intervention, with profoundly stabilizing impacts on the families that receive them.
Looking Ahead
The implications of this issue extend beyond economic concerns.
When political and social discourse begins to exclude perceived outsiders, it compromises the ability of societies to adapt and evolve.
Neglecting the evidence surrounding the positive contributions of migration comes with significant costs, manifesting in three primary areas:
Firstly, economic losses occur as reduced immigration results in sacrificing a vital source of growth, innovation, and fiscal sustainability.
Secondly, social instability arises as anti-immigration rhetoric nurtures stigmas that fracture coexistence and erode social cohesion.
Lastly, geopolitical weaknesses emerge when nations reduce immigration, thus losing influence in an increasingly competitive landscape for talent and human capital.
The positive aspect is that solutions are already in place.
Governments can utilize established tools, from professional accreditation processes to regional migration coordination systems.
The real challenge lies in reshaping the political narrative.
Public opinion, largely influenced by political discourse, must evolve to embrace and recognize the value of human mobility as an integral part of our modern social contract.
image source from：theconversation
