Today, December 18 is International Migrants Day. The day celebrates the contributions of millions of migrants worldwide recognizing the hundreds of millions of migrants living outside of their home countries.
Migrant is a person who moves away from his or her place of usual residence, whether within a country or across an international border, temporarily or permanently, and for a variety of reasons.
Migration is a global phenomenon driven by many forces. These start with aspirations for dignity, safety and peace.
On 4 December 2000, the UN General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18 December International Migrant Day.
On that day, in 1990, the Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
The International Migrants Day is celebrated annually on Dec. 18, and this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the IOM and the 31st anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
International Migrants Day gives us a special opportunity to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of millions of migrants around the world. It’s also a day to highlight the increasingly complex environment in which migration occurs.
Migration contributes significantly to human development, shared prosperity, and poverty alleviation. Managing migration’s drivers and impacts allows origin and destination countries to share the gains.
This year 2024 the International Migrants Day is being celebrated with “Honouring the Contributions of Migrants and Respecting Their Rights.”
In the past there were many internal displacements, rising humanitarian needs across ongoing and new crises, and, tragically, the highest-ever death toll of migrants in transit.
Migrants play critical roles in labour markets, filling skills gaps, driving innovation and entrepreneurship, and addressing demographic challenges in aging societies. Migrants boost economic growth and provide a lifeline to families and communities back home, driving development.
By enabling opportunities for migrants, better protect their rights, and contribute to greater prosperity in the countries migrants come from and those that host them.

On the occasion of International Migrants Day, the Director General of International Organization of Migrants (IOM) Ms. Amy Pope in her message said, “Migration is as old as humanity itself. Throughout history, people have migrated in search of better lives, to flee conflict, to escape persecution, or to find economic opportunity. Yet today, migration is getting more complex but gives an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of millions of migrants around the world.”
“From the shores of Djibouti to the jungles of the Darién Gap, the world in 2023 has seen historic increases in the number of people on the move,” she said adding “it was because of climate change, conflict and pronounced economic disparity, little choice of opportunity for livelihoods.”
“People on the move are powerful drivers for development in both their origin and destination countries. They’re workers, students, entrepreneurs, family members, artists and so much more. Migrants often maintain strong connections to their home countries while embracing their new communities, where they bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and skill,” stressed the IOM chief.
“Migration is part of the solution to greater economic prosperity that could bring a better tomorrow. So, let’s work together to harness the power of migration,” she added.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is part of the United Nations System based at its Headquarters in Geneva.
While reviewing the remittances received by the country, , it can be said that Nepal’s economy more or less depends on the remittances sent by the migrant workers. According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (the central bank), nearly a third of Nepal’s economy is made up of remittances sent by migrant workers.
But sad to say that the majority of remittances are spent on daily consumption products. Actually, it should be invested in the productive areas or development of physical infrastructures.
Remittance inflows increased 16.5 percent to Rs. 1445.32 billion during 2023/24 compared to an increase of 23.2 percent in the previous year, said the NRB reports.
No doubt, remittances are a significant source of foreign exchange for every country including Nepal which benefits in the country’s economic development, poverty reduction, macroeconomic stability, household benefits and community benefits.
Remittances stimulate aggregate demand, increase consumption and, as a result, accelerate economic growth.
For Nepal, remittances could be considered as a substantial economic backbone. Nepal received US $11 billion remittances in 2023 that contributed 26.6% to the nation’s gross domestic product.
For Nepal, Malaysia is the top country for Nepalese migrant workers followed by United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
India, China, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are the top five recipient countries for remittances. It is also considered that Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, India, Qatar, and the United States are the top most countries from which higher values of remittances received.
In 2023, Indian workers sent US $120 billion, Mexican sent US $66 billion, Chinese sent US $50 billion, the Filipinos sent US $39 billion and Pakistanis sent US $27 billion remittances to their respective countries.
However, compared to the remittance volume, India has been receiving the largest amount of remittances since 2008.