Migration: Terms, concepts and numbers

1. Migration: Terms, concepts and numbers 1st Advanced Course: “Health on the move” January 14 & 15 2012 Ioanna Kotsioni, Phd, Msc

2. Migration The movement of a person or a group of persons, either across an international border, or within a State. It is a population movement, encompassing any kind of movement of people, whatever its length, composition and causes; it includes migration of refugees, displaced persons, economic migrants, and persons moving for other purposes, including family reunification.

3. Immigration - A process by which non-nationals move into a country for the purpose of settlement. • Forced migration - A migratory movement in which an element of coercion exists, including threats to life and livelihood, whether arising from natural or man-made causes.

4. Migration: as old as human history • Migration is by no means a new phenomenon. • Migration is a fundamental process that redistributes people around the globe. • Human history has, to a large extent, been shaped through the movement of populations.

5. 1 out of 7 a migrant • In 2010, the total number of international migrants in the worldwas estimated at 214 million people (IOM, 2011). • The number of internal migrantsis estimated at 740 million (UNDP, 2009). • In total, around a billionpeople (roughly one in seven of the world’s population) are migrants.

6. Estimates of different categories • Migrant workers ~ 100 million (2009) • Refugees ~ 15.4 million (2010) • Asylum seekers ~ 845,800(2010) • Trafficked persons – including adults and children in forced labour,bonded labour, and forced prostitution - ~ 12.3 million (2010). Almost 2 out of 1,000 people are victims oftrafficking.

7. Estimates of different categories • In 2010, the estimated number of displaced persons due to naturaldisasters was over 42 million. The large majority (38 million) were displaced by climatechange-related disasters (primarily flooding and storms).

8. Migration: a complex phenomenon • Migration is the outcome of a range of factors including social, economic, cultural, political, as well as environmental, that shape an individual’s decision to move. • People migrate for different reasons. Some out of free will in search of better opportunities for themselves and their family, and others forced by conflict or disaster in search of safety.

9. “Mixed” migration • In recent years migration flows have become more complex and comprise heterogeneous groups of individuals. • Human migration rarely hasa single cause and it is often hard to distinguishvoluntary andforced movement.

10. “Mixed” migration Increasingly difficult to distinguish refugeesfrom othermigrants: • Many “push”-“pull” factors. • Host countries may not recognize: – Generalized violence – Breakdown of civil order – Internal conflicts as legitimate ground for grant refugee status.

11. Migration: more complex today? • As a result of technical advances in communications, migratory behaviour has diversified to include short and long term relocation, permanent migration and circular migration back to the place of origin. • After World War II, countries of origin were mostly in Europe, and destinations included the Americas and Australia. Today, most countries are at the same time countries of origin, transit and destination (eg. Greece).

13. Immigration: is it really a threat??? • Immigration is essential for sending countries, to assist home communities with remittances. • It can also be useful to receiving societies, to compensate for demographic trends and skill shortages. • Europe, today, faces a serious demographic challenge. Its population is ageing. Net migration flows are necessary to moderate the negative repercussions of aging.

14. Europe’s demographic problem • Europe is the continent with the lowest total fertility rate (on average 1.5 children per woman). At the same time life expectancy is increasing. • By 2050, the old-age dependency ratio (the number of people 65 and over relative to those between 15 and 64) is projected to double, meaning that in the EU only two persons of working age will correspond for every elderly citizen. • The repercussions for labour and growth will be dramatic. Public spending will also come under serious strain. It is estimated that the effect of an aging population alone would increase health care public spending by at least 2 percentage points of GDP by 2050.

15. Europe’s demographic problem • It should be stressed that these projections are based on the assumption that net migration inflows to the EU will cumulate to 40 million persons by 2050. • A contradiction: While net migration is necessary for the region’s survival, the dominant public rhetoric in most European countries is that “Europe cannot afford no more immigrants”.

16. Are developed countries really faced with an “invasion”? • It is estimated that only 37% of migration is from developing to developed countries. • The biggest refugee camp in the world: Dadaab in Kenya. Almost 400,000 displaced people, the vast majority from war-torn Somalia. • “Arab spring”: Resulted in nearly 800,000 migrants - who fled Libya and Tunisia. Of those only 50,000 reached the EU - Italy and Malta .

17. A shift towards more restrictive policies The increasing use of the term “irregular” (or illegal) migration parallels the adoption of increasingly restrictive migration policies in Europe and the U.S. U.S. and Europe spend around $9 billion on migration management annually. • Stricter border controls (at land and at sea) • Increased and prolonged use of administrative detention • Cooperation agreements with countries of origin and transit • Emphasis on returns • European Border Management Agency (Frontex)

18. The human cost of restrictive migration policies • Individuals, including those fleeing persecution, have extremelly limited means of legally travelling to the EU. • This often means people take life-threatening risks,being forced to use smuggling networks. • The number of migrants who died along the European borders, since 1998, is estimated at 17,738. Most died trying to cross the Mediterranean. In 2011, alone, around 2,000 deaths were recorded.

19. Irregular migration • Irregular (illegal) migration – a contested term • Data show that most irregular immigrants to Europe and the USA have entered on a visa, hence legally, and then have overstayed or engaged in illicit work and became irregular. Often they might have been able to regularise or re-entered on a new visa and therefore acquired legal status again.

20. Greek emigration Two recent waves of mass emigration: one from the late 19th to the early 20th century, and another following World War II. • In the period 1890-1914, almost a sixth of the population of Greece emigrated, mostly to the United States and Egypt. • Following World War II (between 1950 and 1974), more than one million Greeks migratedto Western Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia.

21. Immigration to Greece • In the aftermath of the Eastern bloc collapse, Greece, received increased migratory flows from Eastern European countries and quite abruptly became a net immigration country. • According to the 2001 census, the foreign population of Greece amounted to 796,713 persons (7.3% of the total population). The vast majority, 750,000, were third country citizens. Of those, 2,927 were registered as refugees. • More than half, 55.7% originated from Albania (among them about 185,000 ethnic Greeks). The second largest group came from Central and Eastern Europe.

22. Immigration to Greece • In the last decade, Greece is experiencing the arrival of new migration flows, originating from Asian and African countries, i.e. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria. These migratory flows differ from the ones of the 1990s, mainly in the following: • They include more people from war-torn and unstable countries and therefore more persons potentially in need of international protection. • These migrants endure longer and more dangerous trips as they need to use the services of smuggling networks. • For these migrants Greece is not so much a final destination but more a first stepping stone into Europe. However, because of the Schengen and Dublin regulations they find themselves “stuck” in Greece.

23. Immigration to Greece Migrants of the recent influx are more likely to present increased medical, including mental health needs: • Many come from countries with poor health care coverage (eg. inadequate vaccination). • Many come from conflict and violence ridden areas and may have been direct victims or witnessed violence. • They often had to make long trips in extreme conditions and/or to spent prolonged periods of time in transit countries with insufficient access to medical care. • When in Greece, incarceration, very poor living conditions and obstacles in accessing health care can by further risk factors for their health and wellbeing.

24. Immigration to Greece • In 2008, the migrant population was estimated at 1,246,000 (11.3% of the total population. Of whom 339,000 (2.9%) were of Greek origin and “irregular” migrantsabout 167,000 (1.5%). More recent estimates calculate the population of “irregular” migrants between 250,000 and 400,000 persons. • The population census of 2011 will provide us with more updated and accurate data. • The migrant population in Greece is characterized by a younger age structure (65,7% of the migrants belonged to the age group of 15-44 years of age while the corresponding percentage for the Greek population was 42,7%).

25. Immigration to Greece • The migrant population in Greece has also been characterized by high participation in the labour market (51,45%). • Very high concentration in manual professions (70% of the total migrant working population). Of those 40% employed as unskilled labour and most of the rest in the construction sector. • For most their occupation in Greece does not correspond to their educational qualifications. 66% were employed at jobs requiring less qualifications. • Many have social insurance. In 2003, 13% of those insured in IKA were foreigners. • They are now increasingly affected by the economic crisis.

26. Immigration to Greece • Most importantly they face increasing anti-migrant sentiments which have also resulted in serious racist attacks. The role of public rhetoric and the media is instrumental in producing and reproducing stereotypes and a climate of insecurity, especially at times of crisis. • However, one should bear in mind that historically the settled populations have always feared newcomers. • Fear of migrants rests upon the fear of change, and especially changes to culture. Culture is, however, not a fixed concept. • Cultures change continuously over time. The cultures as we know them today are the result of centuries of migration.

27. By way of conclusion (World Migration Report 2011, IOM) • Societies with a rich diversity of skills and experiences are better placed to stimulate growththrough their human resources. • Yet migration remains highly politicized and oftennegatively perceived, despite the obvious need for diversification in today’s rapidly evolvingsocieties and economies. • Nevertheless, international migration is likely to increase in scaleand complexity due to growing demographic disparities, new global and political dynamics,technological revolutions and social networks, with profound impacts on the socio-economicand ethnic composition of societies. • This will result in new policy challenges related to the way migration is experienced by the communityat large. In this context, the image of migrants in their home and host societies acquiresfundamental importance.

28. Food for thought Ο παππούς μας ο «λαθρομετανάστης»… • Αρχές του 20ου αιώνα: εμφανίζεται στις εφημερίδες για πρώτη φορά η λέξη «λαθρομετανάστης» που αναφέρεται αποκλειστικά σε Έλληνες μετανάστες στις ΗΠΑ. • Τέλη του 20ου αιώνα: η απαξιωτική λέξη «λαθρομετανάστης» χρησιμοποιείται ευρέως και από την επίσημη πολιτεία για να χαρακτηρίσει τους άτυπους (irregular) μετανάστες.

29. Migration and health • Migration is, in itself, not a risk to health. • I.e. “Healthy migrant” effect. • However, migration practices and policies may render migrants more vulnerable. Migrants, and especially those on irregular status, are exposed to numerous health risks during their travel, as well as in destination countries. (eg. poor living conditions, violence, limited access to the healthcare system).

30. Migration and health • Governments face the challenge of responding to the health needs of migrants. • Failing to do so is not only an infringement on the universal right of an individual to healthcare, but may have serious public health repercussions, and can exacerbate inequalities and marginalisation.