Balkans | Competition for workers increases as the population ages in rich and middle-income countries

The World Bank reports that populations are aging at an unprecedented rate around the world, with competition for workers in rich and middle-income countries increasing as populations age.

The World Bank has released its World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees and Communities.

The report noted that populations around the world are aging at an unprecedented rate, making many countries increasingly dependent on immigration to realize their long-term growth potential.

The report stated that this trend presents a unique opportunity to improve migration for economies and people, and stated that better immigration policies can help increase well-being in all countries.

The report stated that rich countries and a growing number of middle-income countries are facing population decline, which is intensifying global competition for workers.

The report indicated that most low-income countries are expected to witness rapid population growth, and stated that this situation puts these countries under pressure to create more job opportunities for young people.

2.5% of the world’s population lives outside the country of citizenship

Noting that the proportion of adults of working age will decline sharply in many countries in the coming years, the report states that countries such as Mexico, Thailand, Tunisia and Turkey may need more foreign workers soon because their populations are no longer growing. .

It was noted in the report that the forces driving migration have also changed, making movement across borders more diverse and complex.

The report states that the number of refugees has nearly tripled in the past ten years.

In the report, which stated that climate change risks further fueling migration, it was noted that most climate-oriented movements have occurred within countries so far, but nearly 40 percent of the world’s population (3.5 billion people) live in places that are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. .

The report stated that approximately 2.5% of the world’s population, or 184 million people, including 37 million refugees, live outside the country of their nationality, and 43% of them live in developing countries.

The report emphasized the urgency of improving migration governance and stated that the goal of policy makers should be to enhance matching migrants’ skills to demand in target communities while protecting refugees.

AA