Refugees & Migration
Refugees & Migration
IN Numbers
123m
Forcibly displaced people globally: 68 million are internally displaced.
40%
Of displaced people are children.
69%
Of refugees don’t travel long distances, moving to a country neighbouring their own.
THE BIG Picture
Migration is shaping the global landscape, but not in the way many think…
We already know it is driven by demographic imbalances, conflict, and climate change. Developed nations face labour shortages and ageing populations, with an urgent need for youthful, skilled migrants. In the Global South, meanwhile, younger populations face instability and poverty, forcing them to migrate.
Despite the dominant narrative, not all migration relates to movement across borders. The United Nations says that of 123 million people displaced globally to the end of 2023, 68 million were moved within the borders of a single country.
This doesn’t belittle the refugee crisis – there were 38 million refugees by the end of 2023.
Climate change has increased migration pressures, creating millions of climate refugees seeking relief from uninhabitable landscapes.
Conflict refugees are numerous, though a few nationalities are suffering more than others. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of these refugees come from just five countries – Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine and Sudan.
Negative narratives around migrants persist, as they are often blamed for perceptions of rising extremism, terrorism, and a factor in increasingly protectionist policies. Yet migration is full of upside. It can address demographic imbalances and enhances societies. Migrants can bring entrepreneurial energy, resilience, and vital skills that fill labour gaps, revitalise economies, and enrich cultural diversity.
In short, there is a clear need to develop a new solution that encompasses both humanitarian need and economic dividend.
Reframing migration as an opportunity rather than a crisis requires bold leadership. It has the potential to bridge demographic divides, foster global equity, and transform both host and origin nations into thriving, interconnected communities.
The question is: ‘How?’
THE BIG Fixes
The solutions lie in recognising the value of migrants, and helping them to participate.
SELLING THE MIGRATION
OPPORTUNITY
Public misconceptions can be hard to shake off, and frame migration as a threat rather than an opportunity.
One way to restart the debate to is to show that developed nations face acute demographic challenges, to which migration is an answer, when managed inclusively. Crucially, skilled migrant groups in many economies contribute more in taxes than the local population.
Personal stories around migrants’ economic and cultural contributions can counter misconceptions. Their successes in starting businesses or revitalizing rural communities can inspire public support. And young migrant populations can revitalise ageing societies, contributing to pensions and social services facing chronic funding gaps.
A balanced approach that combines empathy with pragmatism can reframe migration as a cornerstone of national renewal.
MATCH SKILLS TO NEEDS
Canada’s Express Entry system shows how structured, transparent processes can effectively integrate migrants into host societies.
It is a system used by the Canadian government to steer permanent residence applications towards filling current labour gaps. It prioritises the immigration of skilled workers, helping them to succeed economically for everyone’s benefit, including their own.
Skilled migrants in many economies contribute more in taxes than the local population
HOMES AND SCHOOLS
The needs of refugees – those who have fled conflict, climate or persecution – differ from those who migrate for economic reasons, usually through more official channels. But access to education is critical for both groups to be able to contribute meaningfully. Programmes like RefuAid in the UK provide people who have fled their homes with tailored support to rebuild their lives. It gives access to job opportunities, language tuition, access to higher education and vocational training and finance for retraining. We can have refugee communities in secure accommodation watching daytime TV, or we can give them access to education.
The UK’s Homes for Ukraine scheme shows that it is possible to provide an accessible framework for refugees, offering support for housing, education, and employment. It allowed Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to apply for permission to come to the UK. Successful applicants were able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
When given clear and fair pathways, refugees can rebuild their lives while enriching their host communities.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
How do you bring new arrivals and host communities together? Part of the answer lies in policy. Not so much national, but on a local level. The Welcome Corps in the US brings local sponsors and new arrivals together, to ease integration. The UK’s Commission on the Integration of Refugees highlights ways to build communities that work for all. Bringing people together reduces prejudice and promotes mutual understanding.
Developed economies are made on tales of outsiders who built businesses
And there are more straightforward solutions – apps and other tech that bridge these divides. Consider Pairity, a platform to promote refugee integration with local communities.
Effective community engagement not only brings people together, but nurtures a sense of belonging.
ENABLING ENTREPRENEURS
Developed economies are built on tales of outsiders who built businesses through their resilience and innovation. But those who have the skills and determination to create jobs and contribute to local economies often find access to cash limits their potential.
Programmes offering micro-loans, supported by NGO-government partnerships, are a way through. Refugee-led networks, such as We Are TERN in the UK, have proven that small- scale enterprises can generate significant economic and social value. By investing in them, host countries unlock a wealth of talent.
CASE STUDY
EQUALREACH
Great examples of inspired actions are not hard to find. EqualReach is a social enterprise that connects vetted teams of displaced and host community tech talent with dignified digital work. It’s a kind of ‘fair-trade’ version of a freelancing marketplace, which funnels income opportunities to some of the world’s most marginalised communities. Similarly, Na’amal, supports forcibly displaced people through skills training and work placements. And it supports graduates from training programmes with real-world, paid projects through EqualReach.
Schemes like these create a pipeline for job creation that helps take displaced talent from ‘learning to earning’.
IN Action
The Conduit’s commitment
We commit to bringing migrant and refugee stories to the fore through our programming, alongside organisations such as IMIX, and raising awareness among our 100,000-strong digital audience. Over the course of 2025, The Conduit will work with our community through a series of events held in our clubs, delving in to the detail of the solutions raised on these pages, gathering input from leading experts to report back via The Migrant Manifesto – our paper on how government, media and business can make the case for better informed and more inclusive approaches to migration.
