Asia

The stock of international migrants in Asia in 2010 is estimated at over 55 million. The US continues to be a major country of destination for Asian migrants though countries within Asia such as India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia are also important destinations for migrants from the region. Malaysia and Singapore are the main destinations for international migrants in South East Asia. India, however is the main country of destination in South Asia as well as one of the most important countries of emigration worldwide together with China and Bangladesh in the top ten. The Middle East, including the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, is one of the fastest-growing migrant destination regions. Countries such as Jordan and Lebanon, though still countries of origin, are also becoming countries of destination for both Arab and Asian migrants. Central Asia continues to be primarily a region of emigration with the majority of labor migration flows going to the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan.

The diversity of countries and migration experience in the region is reflected in the wide ranging difference in migration policy as well as integration policy. The importance of integrating migrant populations is slowly being recognized in several countries such as those with high flows of migrant workers and new migration related to family reunification or formation.

Information taken primarily from UNDESA Trends in International Migrant Stock; the World Bank Development Prospects Group; International Organization for Migration World Migration Report 2008.