Increase Rate 51%
OECD Report
"Legal Immigration to Developed Countries Hits Record High"
Last year, legal immigration to developed countries reached an all-time high. This was due to a surge in labor demand in developed countries following the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, South Korea's immigrant growth rate rose to second place worldwide.
South Korea had the second highest immigrant growth rate. The Ministry of Justice analyzed, "The number of international students and trainees is increasing due to the global Korean Wave craze." Photo by Getty Images
According to a report released on the 14th (local time) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 6.5 million people obtained permanent residency and immigrated to the 38 OECD member countries last year. This is the largest scale ever recorded. The previous record was 6 million in 2022, but it increased by 10% in just one year, breaking the record immediately.
Christophe Dumont, head of the OECD International Migration Division, analyzed, “The trend of increasing immigration reflects various factors such as labor shortages due to strong economic recovery after COVID-19 and demographic changes (decline in the working-age population).”
The country most chosen by immigrants was the United States. It accepted a total of 1,189,800 new immigrants, a 13.4% increase from 1,048,700 in the previous year. The United Kingdom ranked second, receiving 746,900 immigrants. It recorded a 52.9% increase from 488,400 in 2022, making it the highest growth rate worldwide.
South Korea had the second-highest immigrant growth rate. The number of immigrants to South Korea surged by 50.9% (29,300 people), from 57,800 in 2022 to 87,100 last year. The Ministry of Justice analyzed that “the global Korean Wave (Hallyu) has led to an increase in international students and trainees.”
Economic Benefits but Potential for Increased Social Conflicts
While developed countries’ economies have benefited economically from a large influx of labor through immigration, there is an analysis that this has led to political turmoil in these countries. Economic and emotional conflicts between the native majority and immigrants could escalate into serious social problems.
For example, in Canada, where two-thirds of population growth is due to immigrants, a survey of 1,522 immigrant households found that 42% reported experiencing economic difficulties. Professor Rupa Banerjee of Toronto Metropolitan University also presented research showing that second-generation Asian immigrants had a higher proportion of university degree holders than mainstream Canadians but earned lower incomes. This indicates that economic discrimination is not resolved even across generations.
Native residents also have grievances. According to a survey conducted last year by the Environics Institute, 48% responded that “immigrants do not accept Canadian values,” surpassing the 45% who said “they do accept them.”
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