The migration debate

Migration, for decades hailed as a source of diversity and economic success, is emerging as a major challenge for western liberal democracies. As the issue becomes entangled with everything from UK government stability to the US Congress approving aid for Ukraine, mainstream political parties are now talking about beefing up controls on immigration to avoid being outflanked by far-right populists. For politicians facing a bumper year of elections in 2024, noisy rhetoric about a topic once seen as taboo is drowning out meaningful discussion of how to achieve shared prosperity and maintain social cohesion in advanced economies. As the old consensus that immigration is always good for economies collapses, the question for many economists is not whether immigration is good or bad but how much is best.

Are international rules based on 20th century human rights protections for refugees fleeing persecution at home still fit for purpose in an era of mass economic migration? 

With migration from poor to rich countries at an all-time high, how can democratic politicians address citizens’ concerns about identity, scarce housing and strains on social services?

For countries with low birth rates and ageing populations, when is immigration the answer to labour shortages and the need to fund pensions?

Which countries have found constructive answers to some of these questions?

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