People on the move: Global migration’s impact and opportunity

Global migration is now at the center of policy debates in countries around the world—and while it is fair to have these debates, it is critical to ensure they are based on facts and evidence. The McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) has undertaken an ambitious research effort to understand the patterns and economic impact of people moving across the world’s borders. Combining an extensive review of hundreds of existing studies with expert interviews and our own economic analysis, we look at both voluntary and forced migration across more than 200 countries. We aim to provide a global perspective that is often missing from the current conversation, looking at broader migration patterns and specific population segments. Our research analyzes the impact of migration on labor markets and wages, on the global economy, on destination and origin countries, and on both native-born populations and migrants themselves.